The crisis engulfing the cash-strapped Sri Lanka Cricket has worsened with the government rejecting the much-hoped-for one-billion rupee bailout grant but this pitiable situation has not taken the sheen off the campaign for the cricket elections.
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| Sri Lanka Cricket is in the red now. - Pic Ranjith Perera |
Once again Sri Lankas 1996 world cup winning administrators Ana Punchihewa, president and vice presidents Upali Dharmadasa and Thilanga Sumathipala, are in the fray for the 2012 elections for Sri Lanka cricket.
Ironically now the scenario has changed. Upali Dharmadasa, who was the Chairman of the last Interim Committee, is coming forward as the presidential candidate of one team while Thilanga Sumathipala and Ana Punchihewa have joined forces to form the other.
Only the posters at every nook and cranny are missing. Yet, the pocket meetings and sudden calls to meet old friends have become the order of the day.
The new name that is coming up from the Dharmadasa camp is the name of millionaire businessman Asanga Seneviratne. He along with K. Mathivanan will be contesting for the two vice-presidents posts. Seneviratne played for CCC while Mathivanan is a Colts CC stalwart.
Besides Ana Punchihewa, the rest of the Sumathipala team so far talked of are Michael de Zoysa (SSC) or Ravin Wickremaratne (Panadura SC) for the post of secretary and Kurunegala SC President Ervin Jayawardena as assistant secretary – another experienced campaigner who was also a member of the 1996 World Cup winning administration.
Former BCCSL secretary Nuski Mohammed is tipped to come in as the treasurer.
Upali Dharmadasa is due to meet the vote base at the cricket board annual general meeting this evening at Hotel Galadari.
Explaining his bid for the post Dharmadasa told the Sunday Times, “At Sunday’s meeting, I intend explaining my plan and strategies for the future of the game. “I was involved with the administration of cricket from 1989 to 1995 as vice president and from 1996 to ’98 as President of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka. Then once again I was appointed as the Chairman of the Interim Committee of SLC a few months ago and I was very keen to see that the system reverted to the democratic process while I was in that administration. “
Dharmadasa added, “Even prior to getting involved with the cricket administration direct I found employment to prominent school leavers and the names included Aravinda de Silva, Asanka Gurusinha, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Chaminda Vaas and Ravindra Pushpakumara – all members of the 1996 World Cup winning team.
Meanwhile, the news about the Government’s refusal to sanction the Rs. 1 billion grant to bail out the bankrupt SLC has hit the cricket administration hard.
The Sunday Times learns, instead the Government has only released Rs. 50 million to the SLC.
It is said that the administration would not be in position to pay the contracted cricketers whose accumulated salary arrears have reached a staggering Rs.400-500 million mark. It is understood that the national cricketers are yet to receive any money due to them.
Thankfully, the SLC received money from the IPL as a result of its 10 per cent deal with the Inidan board and Rs. 18 million from this money was released to the clubs to start and have the Premier League tournament rolling.
However the Rs. 600 million which is the final payment towards the 2011 World Cup grant by the ICC would come only in February 2012. From this sum 25% will go to the players who were in the World Cup squad.
An insider who opted remain anonymous said, “We were expecting the 1 billion government grant, if that does not come in SLC will be in dire straits.” |
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