da betsul： The Interim Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka(BCCSL) resigned on Saturday after a request from the new sports ministerJohnston Fernando
Charlie Austin22-Dec-2001The Interim Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka(BCCSL) resigned on Saturday after a request from the new sports ministerJohnston Fernando.The sports ministry called for the resignation of all Interim Committeescurrently in operation, including athletics, volleyball and gymnastics, byMonday. This would be followed by the appointment of a new Interim Committeeor the reappointment of the existing one, with possible changes, for aspecified period of time before fresh elections.The Interim Committee, headed by chairman Vijaya Malalsekera, was appointedeight months ago by the then sports minister Lakshman Kiriella to run theaffairs of the cricket board after allegations of corruption levied againstthe elected executive board, headed by Thilanga Sumathipala, which wasdissolved.Kiriella had planned for the Interim Committee, which developed a committeesystem of management, separating cricketing and financial issues, to rununtil the 2003 world cup. Even when Kiriella was replaced by MangalaSamaraweera after a cabinet reshuffle, the Interim Committee position lookedsecure after the smooth management of the board’s affairs.But a change of government last week and the appointment of Fernando as thenew sports minister had precipitated speculation that fresh cricket boardelections were imminent when he called for democratic principles to beadhered to in all sporting institutions.However, there is still uncertainty as to the time frame given for newelections. The minister’s decision may have been precipitated by recentcontroversy in the Amateur Athletics Association of Sri Lanka (AAA). Hecould still decide that the cricket board’s Interim Committee should stayuntil the 2003 world cup.But the position of Malalsekera as chairman, a former first class cricketerand Cambridge Blue, is in doubt. He was commonly known to have been close topresident Chandrika Kumaratunga, creating uneasiness within the new UnitedNational Front (UNF) government and pressure for his removal.Thilanga Sumathipala, alleged to have acted as a key political broker duringthe parliamentary crossover of PA politicians into the opposition in Octoberand the subsequent defeat of the ruling party on 5 December generalelections, is already considered the favourite to become the next presidentshould elections be called.Sumathipala has held office on two separate occasions: in 1998/1999 after acontroversial election marred by thuggery and in 2000/2001. On bothoccasions his period in office was cut short by either the suspension ordissolution of his administration by the sports minister.Other possible contenders for the presidency include Clifford Ratwatte, along time foe of Sumathipala, Jayantha Dharmadasa, brother of Upali whoSumathipala deposed as president in 1998 but is now supportive of the samepolitical party, and even former captain Arjuna Ranatunga, who recentlybecame a member of parliament.