Cricket Board out of control

While the bubble of the world champion status of Sri Lankan team was bursting, the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka went out of control with wild scenes, violence and widespread impersonation much like the notorious Wayamba poll.

According to investigations by The Sunday Times, authorised representatives from several areas or clubs, including, Badulla, Puttalam/Chilaw, Kalutara, Hambantota/Matara, Kurunegala and United Southern Galle were not allowed to attend the 51st annual general meeting of the Cricket Board at the board headquarters last Sunday, creating chaos and pandemonium with no one knowing who had voting rights and what was going wrong.

The contenders for the most prestigious and most powerful post in sports administration — presidency of the cricket board — were the incumbent Thilanga Sumathipala and veteran administrator Clifford Ratwatte, an uncle of President Kumaratunga.

Mr. Sumathipala told a news conference on Tuesday that Presidential media advisor Sanath Gunatilleke was the powerful force behind the Ratwatte campaign and they had illegally brought in the presidential security chief Nihal Karunaratne to throw their weight around.

But an equally angry Mr. Ratwatte told a news conference earlier that thugs and other undesirable elements had taken over the cricket board and the election was totally unfair and invalid.

President Kumaratunga did not openly support Mr. Ratwatte but she is known to have favoured his candidacy while Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike is reported to have called several ministers who head district cricket associations and asked them to back Mr. Ratwatte. Speculation is rife that Sports Minister S. B. Dissanayake, however, favoured the Sumathipala ticket and that his sports portfolio may be at stake in a possible cabinet reshuffle immediately after the provincial elections.

A senior security officer at the gates of the cricket board headquarters said he tried to control the ugly scenes and turmoil and suggested to the Chief Executive Officer to allow everybody in and then sort out matters.

According to the board constitution, each affiliated club or district association has two votes each, making a total of 128 votes. After the rumpus, Mr. Sumathipala was declared elected by 79 votes to 11. That means 38 official representatives did not or could not vote though in the confusion no one knows what happened to them.

The Ratwatte camp alleges that most of the votes that reportedly went to Mr. Sumathipala were invalid or illegal and that the whole election was a fraud and a farce.

According to eyewitnesses, there were several cases where two representatives turned up from a club or association with a letter signed by their president and the secretary, authorising them to vote. But after they went in two other representatives from the same club or association also turned up with similar letters, leading to a situation where no one was sure who had issued letters to whom.

Not only official letters, there appeared to be some hanky panky with media passes also and journalists noted that some who flaunted media passes had nothing to do with the media.

Vajira Lakshman, President of the Kalutara District Cricket Association told The Sunday Times he had learnt from a police officer that some 30 people had been at board headquarters from the previous night. Who they were and who allowed them in or for what purpose they came the previous night may never be known after all hell broke loose and the cricket board faced what was perhaps the most disgraceful day in its history.

Nalin Ladduwahetti, representing Puttalam/Chilaw, said he had shown his letter authorising him to attend the meeting. However, he and two other representatives from United Southern Galle were not allowed in on the basis that other representatives from the same clubs had already gone in.

Veteran cricket administrator Abu Fuard, one of the key men in the Ratwatte camp, insisted that the meeting be postponed until the chaos over who was representing whom was sorted out and a proper environment was created for a fair election. Mr. Fuard claims he was not only ruled out but also assaulted.

Another veteran administrator Nuski Mohammed said he came in to represent Saracens but was horrified to see two strangers claiming the right to vote on behalf of his club.

The cricket board's controversial chief executive Dhammika Ranatunga who also was alleged to have been assaulted issued a statement defending the board and the measures taken to ensure a fair election. He said that 11 security personnel had been recruited from a private security group to join the three board security guards.

He said the police chief and other top officers had been informed by the board two days before the AGM that some elements might try to create trouble and that extra security was needed.

Mr. Ranatunga claimed that the issue of accreditation letters, media passes and passes for others had been double-checked to ensure that no unauthorised persons were allowed in.Whatever was checked or unchecked, no press photographers were allowed inside the Board Headquarters where the voting took place.

Zubair best civilian rifle shooter

A.L.M. Zabair of the Nuwara-Eliya Sport Shooting Club won the best Civilian shooter in the semi Automatic Rifle Class at the 5th Annual Action Challenge meet held at the pitcuresque range at Bomburella.

The popularity of this eagerly looked forward to event can be judged from the fact that no less than 96 competitors from all active affiliated clubs of the National Rifle Association participated.

The organisers spared no pains to provide some interesting and demanding stages involving practical pistol, shotgun and rifle with many of the best marksmen in the country participating which provided shooting of a high order.

The unusual rain at this time of the year which turned the approach road to the range into a quagmire requiring 4-wheel drive failed to dampen the spirits of the competitors.

In the pistol events, CI. Suren de Zoysa, IP Walter and ASP Sunil Guruge of the Police, LT. Col. B.P. Kularatne and Major Pooraka Seneviratne of the Army, Sgt. Sunil Prematilleka and Cpl. Rohitha of the Air Force and Lasantha Samarakoon and Jayantha Wijeratne among the civilians excelled.

The Police teams won both the open division and standard class with ease ably supported by Sergeants Dullwewa and Ranjith Premasiri, Nalin Wickremasinghe, the 16 year old schoolboy from De Mazenod College Kandana outshot many experienced shooters to do well in the team events and also annex the junior title for himself.

Sunil Guruge went onto give an exhibition of fast and accurate shooting using a pump action shotgun, hitting all eight targets in the unbelievable time of only 7.9 seconds, which was better than the best time from the semi automatic shotguns.

Dallas Martenstyn of the Negombo Rifle Club, Group Captain Robin Jilla of the Air Force also did well in the shotgun event.

Army shooters using a Sniper Rifle swept the board in the Open Bolt Action class in rifle with Janaka Wickremasinghe being the best civilian.

Nuwara- Eliya Sport Shooting Club won the best civilian open team trophy, the team comprising Lasantha Samarakoon, I. Meezen Mohideen, Suren Samarasinghe and Shanaka Ambrose, while the Best Civilian Stock gun team championships was also won by the Nuwara- Eliya Sport Shooting Club through, Jayantha Wijeyeratne, Asiri Wickremasinghe, Shirantha Peiris and Nalin Wickremasinghe.

Ratwatte supporter's residence stoned

By M.Ismeth

Hard on the heels after the fiasco at the Cricket Board annual general meeting comes the story that one of the Clifford Ratwatte team member's house was stoned.

Moratuwa Sports Club President Chrisantha de Silva who contested for the post of Assistant Treasurer along with Mr Clifford Ratwatte and others at the recently concluded AGM of the Cricket Board told The Sunday Times that around 2.15 am on April 1, he heard the noise of some people stoning his residence.

He was sleeping upstairs and when he came down he saw about seven to eight persons throwing stones at his house. The pelting of stones had not only damaged the French windows of his residence but also the lamps on the boundary walls of his house.Though he phoned the Police about the incident, it took a near 45 minutes for the Police to call over at his residence. He had lodged an entry thereafter and to date no one had been apprehended, he said.

Mr. De Silva alleged that its no one other than supporters of the present office bearers of the Board who did not like his supporting Mr Ratwatte. He had been approached by many prior to the AGM seeking his support for Mr Thilanga Sumathipala but had declined, he said.

He said that though he was allowed into the room to cast his vote, he felt that the atmosphere was tense and one could feel some sort of fear. Explaining further he said that there were not only new faces inside, but heard abuses , 'like, if our man does not win you all will be finished'.

Being associated with the Moratuwa Sports Club he said it was unbecoming of all sporting bodies including the Cricket Board to get its image tarnished by bringing in thugs and goons, armed and otherwise.

Mr. de Silva was one of those who withdrew along with Mr. Clifford Ratwatte without voting as the situation was very tense .

Bernadette's victorious

St. Berandette's Model School, Polgahawala, won the Mapa Ratmale Challenge Trophy, presented by their Principal, on the first innings lead in the first 'Big Match' played at Polgahawala. A Unique feature of the match was the sounding of the Last Post by an Army Bugler and the exchange of coconut saplings by the two teams in accordance with the name Polgahawala.

Parakaramabahu M.M.V.: 102 (I. Anuruddha 40, S.D. Karunaratna 16, T. Dilshan 4 for 32, N. Upalitha 3 for 13) and 214 for 5 wits. (decl.) (I. Anuruddha 94, P. Pathirana 31, D. Sanjaya 29 not out)

St. Bernadette's Model School: 114 (A. Rajapakase 38, P. Illukwatta 15, N. Upalitha 12, S. Alahakoon 10, G. Chintaka 7 for 35) and 108 for 3 wkts. (A. Rajapakse 58, D. Gunaratna 16) 15 year old Nimanth Upalitha was awarded a Special Prize for his all round performance.

Aussies make a steady start

ST JOHN'S, Antigua, Saturday (Reuters) - Australia were 62 for one at lunch on the opening day of the fourth test against West Indies on Saturday.

Meanwhile Leg-spinner Shane Warne has been dropped from Australia's team to play West Indies in the fourth and final test

Warne, the most successful spin bowler in the game's history with 317 test wickets, has been a shadow of his former self since returning earlier this year from a shoulder operation last May.

Warne, who has taken just two wickets for 268 in the first three tests of the series, is replaced by Colin Miller, who can bowl off-spin or medium pace.

Warne's fellow wrist-spinner Stuart MacGill keeps his place as Australia seek to square the series in which they trail 2-1 after losing the second and third tests.

Australia have also dropped opener Matthew Elliott, who has been replaced by Greg Blewett.

Fast bowler Jason Gillespie withdrew with a back injury and his place is taken by medium pacer Adam Dale, while wicketkeeper Ian Healy passed a fitness test and will play.Warne, as vice-captain, sat on the selection panel with captain Steve Waugh and coach Geoff Marsh.

"It came down to who we thought was bowling a little bit better at this stage," Waugh told reporters.

"Geoff and I both had the gut feeling that Stuart was the right man for this time.

"I'd love to have played Warney - he's been there, done that, he's taken 317 wickets and he's a great bowler. But the head had to rule over the heart."

Asked whether Warne had pleaded his case during the meeting, Waugh said: "He did tell us that he was ready and fired up for a big one and of course we believe him but Stuart would probably say the same, too.

"He didn't plead his case, he just put across his argument."

Kotte Thomians record easy win

By Ravi Nagahawatte

St. Thomas' Kotte registered an emphatic 48 run victory over home town rivals, Sri Jayawardanapura Maha Vidayalya in their second limited over cricket encounter at the P.Saravanamuttu Stadium yesterday.

Bowlers called the tune in a match where the batsmen of both sides were helpless.

The Kotte Thomians rose from the dumps and took the fight up to their opponents with a stupendous bowling feat after being bowled out for 152 runs. Sri Jayawaradanapura MV crashed out for 104 runs. The pace duo of Eran Peiris and Malintha Perera rattled the Sri Jayawardanepura batsmen by claiming four wickets apiece with the former being the most economical among all bowlers , giving away just 14 runs .

Earlier the Thomian batting was propped up by a sensible innings by J.Stork who posted a valuable 35. E.de Silva made 29 while D.Kumara chipped in with 20. Sri Jayawardanapura MV's S. Parakrama retained impressive figures of 4 for 22.

St.Thomas' Kotte - all out 152 in 37.3 overs

(E.deSilva 29, D.Kumara 20, J.Stork 35; S.Parakrama 4 for 22, V.Silva 2 for 22)

Sri Jayawardanapura MV - all out 104 in 23.4 overs (V.Silva 18, G.Ishan 10; E.Peiris 4 for 14, M. Perera 4 for 24)

S.Thomas' to meet Isipatana today

By Saif Izzadeen

S.Thomas' Mt.Lavinia will meet Isipatana in a key Lemonade Cup knockout cricket tournament pre quarter final match at Mt.Lavinia today.

As both teams won their respective big matches against Royal and Thurstan, a keen tussle for supremacy could be expected. S. Thomas' beat Royal while Isipatana overcame St.Thomas Matara in their respective first around matches.

S. Thomas' will be led by the right arm fast bowler Naren Ratwatte while Isipatana will be led by the stylish right hand batsman Krishantha Jayewardena.

Meanwhile Ananda were through to the quarter finals of the Lemonade Cup knock out cricket tournament when they beat Raddoluwa MV by six wickets at Ananda Mawatha.

Ananda chasing 157 to win in this per quarter final match reached the winning target in 34 overs for the loss of four wickets. Lakshan Fernando (48) and Maduranga Mallawarachchi (34) helped the home team.

Raddoluwa MV taking first lease of the wicket were restricted to 156 through some penetrative leg spin bowling by Maduranga Mallawarachchi, who took 3 for 24.Ananda led by the tall right hand batsman Jithendra Perera go out favourites to retain the Dr. N. M.Perera trophy when they take on Nalanda in their annual one day match at the SSC today.

Nalanda led Niranjan Kumara Mannikkage who came as underdogs in the big match against Ananda last week gave a spirited display which saw them having the Ananda Mawatha school at the receiving end.

Nalanda will come out all guns blazing to give a repeat performance which will enable them to regain the trophy which they won last under the captaincy of Shantha Kalavitigoda in 1997.

In another inter school one day match to played today Mahanama College led by all rounder Pubudu Sathyapala will take on President's College Rajagiriya led by Amila Gunawardena in the 11th annual Milo trophy at the R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium.

If you go by the big match performance between these two schools President's College led by Gunawardena must be the favourites to win today's contest..

BRC too strong for Pan Audio

By Shafraz Farook

BRC overcame a strong effort by Pan Audio for a 10-5 victory in the C Beach Rugby tournament last Saturday.

Boys and girls locked horns in a spectacular show- down at probably the last C Beach Rugby tournament this millennium.

The beautiful beaches at the Royal Oceanic Hotel, Negombo played host to the third and final league tournament. Twelve determined boy's teams and six girl's teams battled it out for the pleasure of participating in the ultimate beach sport.

Last year's runnersup and second league champs Beach Rugby Club (BRC) claimed victory over Pan Audio in a tight battle fought valiantly to the end. Niroshan and Wasana scored to give their team victory while Dinesh made the only try for Pan Audio. Though speed, agility and determination of the BRC players brought them victory, many spectators tought their spirit to win overwhelmed them from playing the game for the sheer fun of it. Nevertheless they displayed skill and sportsmanship. BRC dominated the whole event winning every single match they played. They beat Hatton National Bank 10 - 0 in the semi-finals. Pan Audio beat Mt. Panthers 5 - 0 to enter into the finals. In the girl's match Hong Kong Bank and Walkers were adjudged joint champs. This time they played for real and they were as rough as the boys were. It was more entertaining though because they did not have to abide by the rules the boys had to. There was some serious tackling from the girls that added colour to their game. This time too the spectators got a chance to strut their stuff in the many competitions organised by the Carlsberg team from Denmark. The sun, sand and the surf was just perfect for a great day outdoors. Overall it was a day to remember down at the beach and with the strong eco message they said aloha, and ended in hopes of doing it again in the next millennium.

Bristol League will commence on May 9

The Bristol League will kick off on May 9 with all the twenty Division 1 clubs with each club being sponsored by twenty different sponsors which will see each team play 19 matches, including nine to ten home matches.

Some of the matches may be played on neutral venues at the discretion of the Competition Committee with the approval of the Ex-Co.

All ground fees for the Division 1 matches excluding lights and labour charges will be met by the Football Federation.

All referees fees will be paid by the Federation for all divisions.

In the Division 1 matches played in Colombo for a gate will see 60% being divided among the two teams after deducting the charges for lights and labour. But gate matches played in Kandy, Wennappuwa and Negombo will be entitled to all.

All Division 1 clubs should register 30 players by April 10 the latest.

The Managers meeting will be held on May 11. Each Division 1 club should have a manager. The Bristol Super League played on a semi professional basis will commence in the year 2000 with 12 clubs in the fray while the other 16 clubs will play in two groups.

The Colombo Clubs will play in a Colombo group.

The C Division tournaments will be conducted by the respective leagues under the Competition Committee of the Football Federation.

In his welcome address the Brand Manager of Bristol, Janaka Kiridena, thanked all the media members and said that they were satisfied and happy with their partnerships with the Football Federation covering a span of ten years. It was also noteworthy that great stride were made in developing facilities by sponsors running a tournament not only on a league but also international as well.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Ceylon Tobacco Company, Gottfried Thoma thanked the media for their co-operation and assistance in this tournament and thanked President Manilal Fernando and his team for the unstinted hard work to uplift football, the poor man's game to international level.

He also said that this year they intend raising a Project Fund for the development of the National Players.

The President of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka Manilal Fernando in his address stated that the Bristol League, is the property of the Football Federation.

He also said that he is aware of the shortcomings and intends creating a new structure in the millennium for this tournament.

The 20 clubs who will play in the 1998/99 Bristol League championships will be Saunders, Renown, Air Force, Police, Ratnams, York, Jupiter, Army, Youngsters, Navy, Wanathamulla Youth, Negombo Youth, Red Diamond, Pettah United, Cooray SC, Java Lane SC, Hyline SC Kandy, New Young Wennappuwa, Old Bens, Maligawatta Youth.

Go Karting 1st round

Yoga Perera dazzles

The first round of the CMSC - De Zoysa Security Challenge in the All Island Go Kart and Pro Kart Championship provided scintillating spectator fare with Yoga Perera driving brilliantly to win the Seniors International and Open Event for Go Karts and Ameen Deen winning a hotly contested race in the Pro Kart First Round.

The Championship promoted by Rallying Legend Richard de Zoysa and sponsored by De Zoysa Organizations Security Services will conduct five more pulsating rounds with the 2nd round scheduled for 23rd May '99.

The Alcatraz track, easily the best Karting Track ever designed in Sri Lanka hopes to attract top level International competition according to the organizers - Ceylon Motor Sports Club.

A total of 55 competitors faced the starter in the several events worked out for Pro Karts and Go-Karts, including several lady arrivers who gave the men some anxious moments.

All the big names in motor racing were there to match there skills against the new comers, who gave a daring display of driving in both the Pro Karts as well as in the Go-Karts.

Once again it was daredevil Yoga Perera who stole the show winning the International event and the open event, but not before he was given a tough time by Rohan de Silva of Formula fame who came in second followed closely by the former junior champion Rajitha Cooke now racing in the senior category.

Both rounds of the national event were won by Rajitha Cooke followed by burly Sheran Fernando and in third place was S. A. Harsha.

the Pro Kart events were hotly contested and some close racing was witnessed with Ameen Deen once again stamping his class and winning the event followed by Randy Batcho and in third place was Dinesh Deheragoda and Dejan de Zoysa who gave the seniors some anxious moments settled for fourth place.

A notable feature at this meet was the sportsmanship displayed by the competitors when they were observed removing spares from their Karts and lending it to others to enable them to compete.

the awards were distributed immediately after the meet by Mr. Arjun Deraniyagala and Mr. Pubudu Wickrema.

Result Class A International 1. Yoga Perera 2. Rohan de Silva 3. Shirendra Lawrence.

Class A National 1. Rajitha Cooke 2. Sheran Fernando 3. S. A. Duminda

Open Event. 1. Yoga Perera 2. rohan de Silva 3. Rajitha Cooke.

Pro-Karts -1. Ameen Deen 2. Randy Batcho 3. Dinesh Deheragoda 4. Dejan de Zoysa

Benson & Hedges to sponsor Sheran Cooke

Sheran Cooke signed a one-year sponsorship deal with Benson & Hedges. The deal came into effect from April 1 onwards. The sponsorship deal involves Benson & Hedges taking over all Sheran's racing activities during the year of sponsorship, which includes both go-kart racing and Formula Ford racing. Benson and Hedges sponsorship activities will be carried out under the slogan 'Power & Glory' which ties in with the Benson & Hedges Ampersand Campaign. Immediately on Sheran's racing agenda will be his participation in the Katukurunda motor races scheduled to be held in June this year

Rover pinpoints

What is the gentleman's game now?

Cricket was known worldwide as the gentleman's game but in Sri Lanka it emerged as a rowdies game after the AGM of the Board. Now football, often referred to as the rowdy game, must be given the name of gentleman's game as they have been conducting their affairs in a most orderly manner.

What authority?

How come the CEO of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka is such powerful figure in conducting of the annual general meeting. Afterall he is only a paid employee of the Cricket Board.

Name them please.

Arjuna Ranatunge is Sri Lankan Cricket Captain.

Who is the CEO of the Board.......?

Who is the new Vice President of the Board........?

Who is the hand phone agent for the Board......?

Who is the Insurance Agent for the Board........?

Who is the wife of a ex-cricketer working at the Board.......?

Who is the cousin of all of them working for the Board........?

Who is the wife of a leading cricketer who has a say in the Board.......?.

Over to you Mr. President!

Who is this bragger?

A famous Sinhala commentator now on the decline was heard saying that he does not like a column in the ST. He says that this person cannot visit any club because he will be hammered. But Rover learn's that this pundit has been debarred from visiting at least three leading clubs for drinking on the house and walking away with packets of cigarattes. This pundit has been heard saying that the cricket board elections saw his man win. It is a common fact but true, because he was given a ticket to South Africa and is now banking on a ticket to the World Cup in May!.

Ready for a fight?

Who is this Board official who was seen removing his tie and folding his sleeves up saying he was ready for the bout?. His colleagues however pressurised him to throw in the towel and with no referee, the expected bout was called off.

C-U-L-T-U-R-E-D

The sporty one was heard telling a former Sri Lanka cricketer of repute that his field is agriculture. Rover learns that he might have smelt a reshuffle.

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