Arjuna Ranatunga, the Legendary world cup winning captain and a minister in the Sirisena government now, has raised some serious allegations against Thilanga Sumathipala led Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC).
Cricket Age has the exclusive details of Legendary Captain’s Concerns :
International Cricket
Men’s Cricket
1. Lost the series in South Africa very badly December 2016 January 17.
2. Lost 2 Bangladesh in ODI’s and Test.
3. Champions Trophy in England – Lost badly.
4. Humiliated against Zimbabwe in Sri Lanka.
5. Indian series embarrassed very badly in Sri Lanka.
6. Pakistan series in the UAE, lost the ODI’s and T/20’s.
7. Present series in India to be much desired.
Women’s cricket
8. Champions Trophy – Lost badly
9. West Indies – lost badly
Youth Cricket Under 19
10. Asia Cup 2017 knocked out due to bad selections and bad management.
11. No proper coordination on Under 19 selections with the Ministry of Education and School Cricket Association Selectors.
12. Proper fitness test not carried out on U19 players for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup to be played in NZ in January 2018.
13. No Physio to be taken with the team to India, with the ICC Under 19 Tournament to take place shortly, this will hamper the progress of players due to niggling injuries.
All this is due to bad management, coaching, selections and planning. Change of players and Captains constantly.
Domestic Cricket
Domestic Match fixing scandal
Action not taken against Officials, but players have been castigated to hid the Club Officials and Board Officials involved.
Domestic Tournaments – no proper tournament calendar. 1st Class tournament much to be desired.
Staff.
Sumathipala pledged he would reduce staff to 15 numbers, but since then he has got rid of efficient staff members and planted his own people for reasons better known to him. Right now the staff has increase three to four times.
Salaries given to his private photographer, Private media lady and his personal coordinator.
Money spent to send media coordinators abroad to project his image internationally and locally.
SLC Board members using SLC vehicles and fuel also on SLC account.
Infrastructure
Venues
Sri Lanka Cricket Headquaters to be demolished and 200 million to be sent to re-build.
SLC Headquarters to be moved to Collupitiya premises that belong to Sumathipala’s family members.
Brain Center – Computer analyst room also to be demolished after spending almost 15 million.
ACC Office no value to SLC but a financial burden.
Venues to be developed to International standard in Pollonaruwa and Jaffna , having an International venue in Dambulla and Kandy.
Hambantota International venue allowed going into ruination once again after the Zimababwe series, no venue manager and proper staff to administer.
Machinery / Covers / SLC cars
Ten mechanized rollers given to clubs not working in a proper manner. Each Mechanized roller cost 2.9 million each and the total value 29 million.
Further, Ten more Mechanized rollers have been ordered by spending another 29 million.
Manuel rollers ordered and provided to clubs cannot be used properly. Cost 2 million 2 years ago 100 pitch covers were ordered and provided for all venues and in addition 26 covers provided to schools.
Once again 100 more covers to be ordered. Present fleet of vehicles used by staff to be sold. Most vehicles were purchased within the last 3 years. No proper evaluation done as per the government regulations.
Thereafter SLC to order vehicles once again direct from Japan at a premium for reasons better known.
Cricket gear and material ordered from India and Pakistan for 50 million 2 staff members sent to obtain the order. One of the staff members Senaka Angulugaha Ex Air Force officer has a cloud over his head.
Chaninda Vaas relegated from National Team and now from Under 19 team.
Manager Halangoda dropped from the u19 team to India.
Present trend : staff members sent on overseas trips on SLC account
This is in addition to the EXCO members and sub-committee member been sent overseas on SLC account. It is best if a list of all SLC EXCO, Board members and Staff be provided along with cost.
SLC to intervene with Bangladesh Cricket Board to obtain Haturusingha’s release. A media release sent out by SLC on behalf of Thilanga which is unethical regarding Hatu’s release.
