SLC gauntlet thrown down and the manoeuvering has begun
Former SLC chief Jayantha Dharmadasa has shown interest
Incumbent Sri Lanka Cricket President Thilanga Sumathipala threw down the gauntlet and announced his name for candidacy to be re-elected as SLC’s president for a further two years. The Annual General Meeting of the SLC is scheduled for May 19 and nominations close next Friday (April 27).
Though on face value it shows a one-horse race for Sumathipala, speculation is rife that there would be challenges coming his way in various forms. From one end it is said that there are moves to bar Sumathipala from forwarding his nomination through political maneuvering it is learnt. There is a strong possibility that Sumathipala’s arch rival and former Sri Lanka cricket captain who led Sri Lanka to its only ICC cricket World Cup win – Arjuna Ranatunga is making certain moves since the UNP won a vote of confidence which was aimed at ousting Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe. Thilanga Sumathipala who was the deputy speaker of the Sri Lanka Parliament opted to relinquish his position and vote along with the no-confidence to oust the present Prime Minister.
However, even in the past, political maneuvering has been the deciding factor in SLC AGMs, not surprisingly even recently.
Thilanga is eyeing a second term
News coming down the SLC grapevine says that the Sumathipala faction is ready to face any such development and would have either of its two vice presidents – Mohan de Silva or K. Mathivanan standing in for the top post if the need arises. However the incumbent secretary Roshan Biyanwala who is a high-ranking serviceman already has announced that he would not seek re-election due to work pressure.
It is also known that there are several moves behind the curtain taking place. Former SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga said “Still we have not taken a firm consensus on what our final decision is going to be. But, at the same time we have a duty by our loyal clubs and we have to evaluate their side of the story too. However, only on Tuesday we will announce what our firm stand is”. In the same vein the name of former SLC President Jayantha Dharmadasa is also in circulation to contest for president.
At the same time insiders close to the ICC say that their anti-corruption unit who have already made several visits to Sri Lanka are keeping a close tab on the developments and their activity at this end still open.
Former Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga -- pondering