Derwyn hits back at Priyadharshini

It seems like the athletics scenario in Sri Lanka is going from bad to worse. “There was a split in the team. Some athletes would turn up for training one day, while the others would come on another day,” said Derwyn Perera who was the manager of the large Asian Games contingent which returned home with a mere pittance.

Perera was responding to the comments and complaints made by sprinter Chamari Dilrukshi Priyadharshini to the media and the Human Rights Commission with regard to her “eleventh hour” omission from the 4x100 relay team.“As Manager my duty is to pick the best team that can win a medal. Of the two coaches Lukshman De Alwis said that Priyadharshini was okay while the other coach namely Ananda Athukorale said that her baton changing was not good. Athukorale’s report has been given to the Amateur Atheletic Association (AAA). Yes in the straight 100 metre sprint Pridharshini is faster than the G. Padmakumari. But the relay is all also about baton changing. And in this aspect Padmakumari was superior. Contrary to reports it was not a last minute decision. There were six sprinters and I as manager decided on the best four. In fact if there had not been a hiccup in baton change between the second and third runners we may well have won a bronze instead of finishing fourth,” said Perera.

He added: ‘Any one can make complaints to the Human Rights Commission. But it is the AAA that has the final say. As a result of Priyadharshini’s statements the Disciplinary Committee of the AAA has summoned her for a hearing. I have also heard rumours that Susanthika Jayasinghe had influenced the decision to include Padmakumari ahead of Priyadharshini. This is completely false. No athlete has a say when the final four are picked. It is up to the Manager. And that is exactly what I did.”

Meanwhile the Jani Chathurangi case continues to drag on like a boring teledrama. Dr. Geethanjan Mendis told The Sunday Times that since the head of the Disciplinary Committee Presidents Counsel Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe had to address Parliament on Friday, the committee decision would be revealed early this week.