Enter the dragon – SLC race is on
View(s):Upali wants to save the country – Thilanga confident
By S.R. Pathiravithana
The incumbent president of the SLC and the last minute nominee to the cricket chair, Upali Dharmadasa, claims that he decided to take
Thilanga Sumathipala
up the challenge at the last minute to save the game for the country.
“In fact it was my brother Jayantha who wanted to contest this year. When I took up this position last year, I said that I would do for about a year. I think by serving the game of cricket every time what you get in return is brickbats. I am a businessman and as a result of my association with cricket I have been neglecting that part of the story. Most of my senior managers want me back at my seat there, but there came a situation where my brother did not want to stand for election. Only at that point that I thought that I would take up the challenge again to save the game for the country,” Dharmadasa said.
He said his entry was also because of some things that had happened in Sri Lanka cricket, where the International Cricket Council was concerned.
“There have been a lot of letters running to and fro and discussed at the committee meetings regarding (his rival)
Thilanga Sumathipala. The ICC specifically mentions – it is up to Sri Lanka in what they do, but he may not be allowed to attend ICC board meetings. It’s a comedown for Sri Lanka cricket. Besides that, about 25 clubs have requested me to come forward as a candidate.”
Dharmadasa also said many people advised him to stay back and continue with the good work that he had accomplished for the past year. He claimed that his administration was able to revive the beleaguered Sri Lanka
Upali Dharmadasa
Cricket financially.
“This transformation has added value to Sri Lanka’s cricket with two companies coming forward with billions of rupees worth sponsorship offers. He added: “At the beginning even I did not believe that we could accomplish this, but we have done that in just one year”.
Thilanga is confident
Meanwhile Thilanga Sumathipala, former SLC President and a hot contender in this year’s race, charged that a sinister campaign against him had been orchestrated by the Dharmadasa camp and three clubs.
He said: “I came forward with forty seven clubs behind me and I am sure that I will get more than fifty per cent of the votes.
“Unlike Upali Dharmadasa I have played first class cricket. Anyway under article fourteen of the Sports Law Upali Dharmadasa is not eligible to contest. If you have not played first class cricket, you have to get special permission from the Minister of Sports and that has to be done before you hand over your nominations. So on that point alone Upali Dharmadasa is out.”
Sumathipala also added he sought the blessings of President Mahinda Rajapaksa prior to entering the race for the chair.
In response to the query whether he had cleared all the obstacles prior to the nominations, the Colombo District Parliamentarian said, “The President said that if I could attend to the people’s work along with my association with cricket that he had no objections. Besides that, I even obtained the green light from the entire SLFP hierarchy.”4
| The Sports minister’s view
Commenting on the tentative situation which is prevailing in the Sri Lanka Cricket’s elections Sports Minister Mahinda Aluthgamage opined in this manner. “To be frank Upali Dharmadasa did not obtain prior approval from me before submitting his nominations for the SLC Presidency. (It is a requirement that a person, who has not played first class cricket, obtain special approval of the Minister of Sports). Yet, the ruling has to be made by the respective Sports Association – Sri Lanka cricket. By chance if the executive committee of Sri Lanka Cricket says he is eligible to stand for elections, I will take over at that point and inquire into the matter and make my observations. |
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