Sports - The Jayasuriya-De Mel episode takes a u-turn now

By S.R. Pathiravithana

Sri Lanka Cricket’s administrative mess-ups and other related issues is nothing new to this tiny island. But sometimes they blow up so strongly, their vibrations could be heard even at the hallowed Lord’s tents and at the other cricketing capitals. The latest De Mel-Jayasuriya saga is one such episode.

It all started with former Sri Lanka opening bowler Asantha de Mel suddenly replacing former team-mate Lalith Kaluperuma as Chairman Sri Lanka Cricket’s selection committee. Then what transpired is no secret to anyone as it was one of the hottest issues which went on to say that De Mel admitting that Jayasuriya’s inclusion was also tied to a Rs two million advertising deal which the latter was to lose if he did not come out of retirement. Two days later an Indian newspaper also carried a similar story which went one step further stating that the Lankan cricket authorities were probing if the chief cricket selector had any kick-backs from the said deal and had appointed ICC’s chief match referee Ranjan Madugalle to probe into these allegations.

Then suddenly the whole episode took an about turn. The more we dug into the issue the more complex it became.

First we spoke to K. Mathivannan of Sri Lanka cricket for his comments on the issue. Mathivanan said “well I just returned from England, but as far as I know there are no issues and we have not appointed anyone to probe into any matter. It was only a friendly chat that they had on that day on issues pertaining to the development of cricket in the country”.

Then it was the turn of SLC’s CEO Duleep Mendis to air his side of the story. Mendis said “As far as we are concerned the selection committee is an independent body and they can act how they like, we have no jurisdiction over them. The said meeting in question where all these questions arose was only an informal meeting which was mooted by De Mel himself to discuss how we could set about with the future programmes with regard to Sri Lanka cricket.”

When asked what the cross talk between Ranjan Madugalle and De Mel was, the cricket CEO said “There were no such cross talk. All what we spoke pertained to cricket and how to take it forward. There was nothing about a Rs. 2 million deal spoken about. Besides that the bat that we presented to Sanath on his retirement was only a miniature and it was not a Rs.5 million worth specimen. All we want is Sri Lanka cricket to do well.”

In the wake of this statement The Sunday Times queried the same from a member of the cricket committee who spoke on promise of anonymity. He too confirmed the above. He said “It was only an informal meeting where not only the Cricket Committee, there were persons representing the Cricket Academy and the ‘A’ team too. All what we spoke about was ways and means of developing the game in Sri Lanka and not about the selection of any individual.”

Finally it was the turn of the man in the melting pot --former Sri Lanka opening bowler and the present selection committee chairman Asantha de Mel to come out with his side of the story. The story took another U-turn. We asked why he was complaining about the SLC and accusing them of not letting him of doing his job in a proper manner and the sentiments of the SLC CEO on the issue. De Mel retorted “How can Mendis say that now? He is one who held on to say that what had appeared in the newspapers was true, while Bandula Warnapura who was also present at the meeting was saying nothing of that nature took place.

“It is good if Mr. Mendis is saying that the selection committee is an independent entity and we can act the way we want. But, is that the way things should move? The correct way to do things is for every one to get together and work for a common goal. As I took over as selection committee chairman I even sat with the SLC Interim Committee and had a chat with them and wanted to find ways of taking Sri Lanka cricket forward. At the same time it was I who mooted that meeting and invited Ranjan Madugalle, Roshan Mahanama, Bandula Warnapura and Duleep Mendis to sit and have a chat with regard to the improvement of the game.

“Even when we selected Sanath I told the tour management that he is available to them and they need not select him just because he is there, but what I want him to be is to be in a ready condition for the one-day games.

When asked if he was contemplating joining the tour management team in England de Mel said “I don’t want to be there in England as the one in England is not a team which was selected by the team that I represent. So I don’t want to be involved in any happenings at that end. However once the one-day internationals begin and as that team will be a squad that is picked by us I will definitely be there. Ironically I feel bitter about this whole episode. I find that the SLC does not like my appointment and they are disrupting our progress. I call it sabotage.