Sumathipala Set To Contest SLC Elections

• Majority of clubs pledge support

By Dion Michael

Former President of the Cricket Board Thilanga Sumathipala is set to throw his hat into the ring when nominations are called for elections to the Board of Sri Lanka Cricket
Another  former President Upali Dharmadasa has already confirmed his intention to run for office.
Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage dissolved the SLC Interim Committee and announced elections for the first time since 2004, in line with the recommendation of the International Crickt Council that all Cricket Boards should be independent elected bodies free from political influence.  On Saturday, Sumathipala met with representatives of most cricket clubs to ascertain whether they wanted him to return to SLC and whether they would support him at the elections.
“The majority of the clubs are urging me to contest the elections owing to the critical situation the SLC is now in – I will have to first weigh my options and then take a decision,” said Sumathipala.
“Unlike on previous occasions, the clubs are requesting me to contest. But with my current political and social responsibilities, I will have to consider a few things,” Sumathipala further said.
Dharmadasa was drafted in as Chairman of the Interim Committee in July 2011 and said he will be seeking a mandate to continue the good work he had begun.
“Initially we wanted to cut down on the number of employees  at SLC. For the Australian series we were presented with a budget where the allocation for security alone cost Rs. 67 million. We said no way and were able to conduct the tour smoothly at the cost of Rs. 1.5 million rupees for security,” Dharmadasa added.
Dharmadasa said settling the overdue payments of national cricketers will be another of his priorities – an issue raised by FICA as well.
Ever since Sri Lanka won the World Cup in 1996 the Cricket Board elections have turned out to be bitter contests with absolutely no holds barred. Thuggery, bribery and downright cheating have been the order of the day.
In 1997 the serving President Ana Punchihewa was voted out of office shortly after Lanka’s World Cup triumph.
Ironically the two men who schemed to oust him are now contesting each other.
Sumathipala’s candidature at the elections is sure to set some posers to the authorities.
On the one hand the fact that there is actually a contest for the post would allay fears that the whole affair was rigged by the authorities merely to fall in line with the ICC ruling and end up in effect with the same Interim Committee personnel who would all be returned to office ‘uncontested’.
However, Sumathipala’s political office and more so his links with the bookmaking industry would automatically disqualify him from holding such office and if SLC were to allow him to contest they could be on a collision course with the ICC.
Ultimately it will be Sri Lanka’s cricket that suffers the most – but then does anyone in authority really care?