Cricket: Ashantha de Mel steps down as Chief Selector

Ashantha de Mel, the Chairman of the Selection Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket, has resigned from his position on Wednesday (27), a week after stepping down as National Team Manager.

De Mel, who was appointed Chairman of the Selection Committee in November 2020 for the third occasion, acted as Selector cum Manager during Sri Lanka's recent two disastrous Test series against South Africa and England. 

Citing personal reasons, he stepped down from the position of Team Manager, after informing well advance prior to the second Test match against England, which began on January 22. 

Explaining his decision to step down as Chairman of Selectors, de Mel cited personal reasons, but later added that he had taken up the position temporarily. 

De Mel's latest decision came on late Wednesday, hours after Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa told journalists in Colombo that he would meet the officials of Sri Lanka Cricket "in a few hours, and there will be important decisions taken up during that meeting to adhere professionalism and sportsmanship".

De Mel had officially written of his decision to Sri Lanka Cricket, but the cricket administration is yet to respond confirming the fact.