Cricket mystery runs into a deep dark alley
View(s):SLC elections postponed till April 16
By S.R. Pathiravithana
The Sri Lanka Cricket’s run for the high chair is still running down the dark alley. According to a senior spokesman the Sports Minister heeded to a request by SLC and postponed the elections until April 16.
The reason for the request has been that the final opinion on the complaint against Thilanga Sumathipala who is running for the post of President has not been given by the Attorney General’s department.
Last Thursday a press conference was called up by the Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage, to publicise ministry findings on the complaints against the three contestants – Thilanga Sumathipala, Upali Dharmadasa and Sumith Perera, but it was cancelled at the eleventh hour. In the same evening, the sports ministry findings on Thilanga Sumathipala was referred to the Attorney General’s department.
The objection against Upali Dharmadasa is claimed to be that he has not played first class cricket and also has not obtained special permission from the Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage prior his handing over of the candidature.
The objections against on the president Thilanga Sumathipala is said to be his association with the gaming industry, and the media, and being involved in the trade of sports goods.
The claim against Sumith Perera is said to be that he had not been a member of the executive committee twice within the last fifteen years.
The objection against Dharmadasa has been filed by Kurunegala YCC. The objection against Thilanga Sumathipala has been filed by Badureliya CC and Kegalle CC while the complaint against Sumith Perera has been filed by Galle CC.
The Sri Lanka Cricket Annual General Meeting was scheduled for the 30th of this month.
Would Jayantha Dharmadasa have the last laugh.
According to the prevailing rules if all three nominations are rejected the incumbent administration would have to nominate alternate candidates fourteen days prior to the date of the election. However yesterday (Saturday) was fourteen days prior to the elections and the opinion of the AG’s department on objections about Thilanga Sumathipala’s nomination had not been given.
The AG department’s opinion is scheduled to be given by Tuesday. It is reliably understood that the Sumathipala application along with the other applications would be rejected by the Sports Minister next week.
Once again the closest contender to the chair is speculated to be former Chairman of the SLC Interim Committee Jayantha Dharmadasa. Earlier Jayantha Dharmadasa was to come forward as a candidate for this year’s President’s position, but withdrew his application at the last moment and this prompted his brother Upali to hand over his nominations a few hours prior to the closing of the applications.
Even former Sri Lanka cricket captain and SLC Interim committee chairman Arjuna Ranatunga showed some interest, in contesting, but refrained from handing over his application.
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