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Attapattu tipped to be the new skipper
By Marlon Fernandopulle
Thirty-two-year old Marvan Atapattu, Sri Lanka's stylish opening bat is tipped to take over the captaincy following Sanath Jayasuriya's resignation as skipper on Friday.
Sanath Jayasuriya handed his letter of resignation to the Chief Executive Anura Tennekoon on Friday morning and it is believed that the Chairman of Selectors Lalith Kaluperuma has been informed of this .The Selectors are expected to meet later this week to accept the resignation and also appoint a successor for the forthcoming two Test series against New Zealand which begins in the third week of this month. The selectors will also have to appoint a vice captain as well.

It was the second time that the skipper had tendered his resignation following his first letter of resignation soon after the World Cup. However at that time Jayasuriya was forced to stay on as skipper for the Sharjah Limited over tournament.

"I was asked to continue for Sharjah but after this they will have to find someone else to captain. I will continue as a player,",Jayasuriya was quoted as saying soon after Sri Lanka's exit in the Limited Over tournament. Explaining his decision Jayasuriya said, "After the World Cup I thought the time has come to groom someone else for the 2007 World Cup".

With a new coach also to be appointed soon, the Selectors are likely to accept the resignation of Jayasuriya and appoint a new captain as it will form a new combination that will augur well for the future of Sri Lanka Cricket.

It was under similar circumstances that Jayasuriya took over the Sri Lanka captaincy in 1999. After Sri Lanka’s poor performance at the 1999 World Cup in England the Selectors axed Arjuna Ranatunge and opted for Sanath Jayasuriya with the intention of grooming a new leader for the 2003 World Cup. Jayasuriya feels that this trend must continue and he has wisely stepped down as skipper before the selectors could axe him.

With 61 tests and 193 one day Internationals under his belt, Marvan Atapattu, Jayasuriya's long time deputy is set to take over the reins as captain. Atapattu was always captaincy material. He has led his school Ananda, his club SSC and Sri Lanka A successfully and proved that he has the credentials to captain Sri Lanka. Apart from that he is extremely talented and is an immaculate stroke player who has delighted crowds around the world. A quality person who is simple, unassuming and always a back stage person Marvan Atapattu enjoys a healthy relationship with the local and foreign media.

Although Mahela Jayawardene, Russelll Arnold and Kumar Sangakkara were spoken of earlier as future captains of Sri Lanka the trio have today failed to cement their positions in the team followin poor performances with the bat . It is very likely that the trio will be overlooked for the vice captaincy as well. Opening bowler Chaminda Vaas who became the leading wicket keeper in the World Cup is a front runner for the vice captaincy.

Rugby Referees Society felicitate ‘Golden Oldies’
The Sri Lanka Refs. Society celebrated their Golden Jubilee Anniversary with a get-together at the Havelocks SC on Friday, April 4. Fifty years of dedicated services, be it on and of the field cannot go unnoticed. It's a rare milestone and Tony Amit is the present president of the Society.

Wimal Senanayake, a senior member of the Society said they are honouring the past presidents of the Society who contributed a lot for the game and its uplift. Some of them have played the game at the highest level. After hanging up their boots, despite exigencies of duty (personal) have joined the fraternity to help develop the game. No referees means no rugby. Yes. Some of them received bouquets and brickbats but acted without fear or favour.

The likes of Quentin Israel (one of the best schools rugby coaches) served the game well, be it at Trinity or S. Thomas'. Gamini Fernando, C.H Seneviratne, Anton Benedict, Brig. J.P.A. Jayawardena, Lionel Almeida, Mohan Balasuriya, S. Sivendran, Air Marshal Harry Gunatilleke, M.R. Moosa, Metha Abeygunawardena, Nimal Lewke etc., were past presidents who served under trying times.

Today more schools have taken to the scrum, and with it has cropped up more problems. There is quantity, but no quality. The Refs. should command respect. He is the one who controls not the ones from the touch line. This is one reason why the Refs. Society in their endeavour is striving to get some past players, who played at the national level to take to the whistle.

Unlike the cricket umpires - the Refs. serve in an honorary capacity. Those who are committed could make it to the international level. Today Dilroy Fernando is one of them. He even officiated in the World Cup qualifying round matches. He is in the elite panel, along with another Isipathanian Asoka de Silva (Cricket). Asoka officiated at the recent World Cup held in S. Africa.

Senanayake said, the purpose of this get-together with the "golden oldies" is to build a bridge of fellowship among all. The Society needs their service and advice. (BW)

London’s Sussex Roffley team to tour Sri Lanka
Sussex Roffley Cricket Club, last year's Under 13 champions in the London Circuit, will be touring Sri Lanka from April 12 to April 28. The team is managed by Deepal Ahangama while the co-ordinator in Sri Lanka will be Mr. Nelson Mendis.

Their tour itinerary is as follows: April 15 - vs Lyceum International at D.S. Senanayake Turf; April 16 -vs CCC School of Cricket at the CCC turf; April 18 - vs Matale Province Under 14 XI at the Dambulla International Stadium; April 19 - vs Dharmaraja College at the Peradeniya Campus Grounds; April 20 - vs Maliyadeva College at the Welagedera Stadium Kurunegala; April 22 - vs Matara District Under 14 XI at the Sanath Jaysuriya Grounds, Matara; April 25 - vs Brendon Kuruppu School of Cricket at Bloomfield Grounds; April 26 - vs S. Thomas' College at Mt. Lavinia

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