Ranatunga is talking bunkum says Jayantha Dharmadasa

By Lal Gunasekera

Arjuna Ranatunga is certainly the Chairman of the Interim Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), but as a MP he cannot get away by making various allegations of a serious nature under the cover of Parliamentary privilege without any proof. This shows his immaturity and proves the point that a good player cannot always be a good administrator.

"Serious allegations against previous SLC Interim Committees have been made by Ranatunga in the recent past. He seems as if he does not know what he is talking about. He is talking thought his hat, and what has he done for Sri Lanka cricket since his appointment as Chairman of the Interim Committee of SLC in January? He has not only ruined the game of cricket, but the good reputation of SLC that was built over the years among the international cricketing community too has been ruined. What has he done in the past 11 months" said Jayantha Dharmadasa, the previous Chairman of SLC's Interim Committee that Ranatunga replaced in January. Dharmadasa is a successful businessman.

Ranatunga has said in Parliament that the uncollected income at SLC in 2006 and 2007 was Rs. 202 million and Rs. 321 million respectively. Dharmadasa said that Ranatunga conveniently forgets that SLC has yet to receive over Rs. 600 million from government taxes (Entertainment Tax, GST, VAT, Economic Service Tax and Withholding Tax) from the Inland revenue Department due to SLC from 2003 to 2007.

"As a government MP, Ranatunga , should have used his influence with the government and collect these monies due to SLC and help swell its coffers, instead of talking though his hat" said Dharmadasa to The Sunday Leader, in response to allegations made by Ranatunga in Parliament.

Ranatunga also alleged that a sum of US$500,000/= was "lost by SLC". Its pure bunkum said Dharmadasa, who reiterates that the sum was promised by Sony Max TV to assist with the reconstruction of the Galle International Cricket Stadium, which was devastated by the 2004 Tsunami. The monies were received and accounted for in the financial statement of  2005-06.

Also, according to Ranatunaga, SLC had taken overdrafts to the tune fo Rs. 303 million in 2006 and Rs. 479 million in 2007, says Dharmadasa: Ranatunga seems to forget that the SLC lost US$ 16 million (Rs. 1.6 billion) after the Indian Tour of Sri Lanka was cancelled due to a bomb blast in Colombo in 2006, and a further Rs. 48,281,346/= was lost due to the Nimbus settlement, where the lawyers fees alone was Rs. 70 million in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Dharmadasa further said that Rs. 235 million went for cricket expenses (Sri Lanka team, Sri Lanka 'A' side, venue maintenance and SLSCA). He said that there was a surplus of Rs. 356 million in 2005, deficit of Rs. 722 million, which included the cancelled Indian tour and Nimbus settlement, in 2006 and a surplus of Rs. 677 million in 2007. A sum of Rs. 165 million was spent on infrastructure development.

"Can these facts and figures refresh Ranatunga's memory?: What is the Development work he has done since January apart from the 18 trips he has made overseas? How much is the SLC losing from the cancellation of the Indian tours in 2009-2010? What happened to the insurance deal during the Indian tour earlier this year? Why were the visas of the Sri Lanka Under 19 team to tour New Zealand not issued? What made him lift the Indian Cricket League (ICL) ban? How much has he spent on development and infrastructure? What are the current ratings of the Sri Lanka Test and OID teams? Why was the Ten sports TV deal cancelled? How many TV big wigs has he met in Australia, India and Dubai? Who printed the computer tickets for the Indian tour this year and has it been accounted for? These are some of the questions posed to Ranatunga by Dharmadasa.

There is also a strain in relationship with SLC's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Duleep Mendis, who has been told last week not to sit at Interim Committee meetings. Why?

Add to the words, SLC's employees are threatening strike action, and have also strained relationships with the Cricket Boards of India, Pakistan and Australia , and Sri Lanka's own cricketers are not in the best of teams with Ranatunga.

Where is SLC heading?

MJ International to provide the shocks

By Hafiz Marikar

Nalaka Weerakkody one of the best seven's ruggerites, will lead MJ International at the Mercantile Sevens which will be held in Colombo from December 5-7. The first time they played in this sevens tournament in 2007 they became the Plate runner's-up.

This time they are capable of matching up to the leading teams, the lads from the hills are expected to present an excellent performance in this tournament. They have a set of experienced players in their rank and their main ambition will be to play good rugby and win the tournament.

The side is led by former Kingswood College, Sri Lanka Schools, Kandy Youth SC, CR & FC, Kandy SC, Central Province and Sri Lanka three quarter Nalaka Weerakkody, who also had the honour of leading the Sri Lanka Sevens. He has vast experience in seven a side rugby and should give off his best for the side. Nalaka is a player who can breach the defence and execute ploys such as the dummies, scissor passes and reverse passes. Nalaka is also an expert in drop and place kicking. His teammates are expecting a lot from him. He has proved his worth as a safe and reliable ruggerite.

The other players in the side are Sri Lanka Sevens skipper Pradeep Liyanage, a product of St. Anthony's and who has been playing for Kandy SC for quite some time. He is a player with some classy sevens tactics.

Then there is Fazil Marija, one of the best fly half's in the country and a man who can make or break a game. He is a excellent sevens player with a lot of rugby in him. Fazil played for Kingswood, Sri Lanka Schools and presently represents  Kandy SC. Saliya Kumara who was picked to lead the Sri Lanka Presidents sevens team for the Dubai Sevens is another top notch player.

Dimunitive Saliya started his rugby career at Vidyartha College and later played for Trinity, Havelocks SC, CH & FC and is now a regular of the Kandy Sports Club team. Mohamed Sheriff the former CR & FC crack three-quarter, has crossed over to Kandy and will be a  asset to this side. Eranda Weerakkody the brother of Nalaka is also a good player. Eranda represented Kingswood College and also played for Kandy SC.

The presence of seven top class players will be a big advantage for this side, who are all out to give a run to the other teams. According to information received they are the only team from Kandy who will be playing at this year's Mercantile Sevens.

According to coach cum player Nalaka Weerakkody their forte in this tournament will be the speedy runners.  Pradeep, Marija, Saliya, Eranda and Sheriff  are a dangerous combination.

Highlights of the week gone by...

Verdasco hero as Spain win Davis Cup

Underdogs Spain won the 2008 Davis Cup final against Argentina in a dramatic fashion. Fernando Verdasco was the unlikely hero, winning the deciding singles tie. The Spanish won the tie 3 - 1 and is the third occasion that they have won the prestigious cup.  

Usain Bolt - athlete of the year

Jamaica's Usain Bolt was crowned athlete of the year. The record-breaking sprinter broke both the 100 and 200-meter sprint records at the Beijing Olympics.

Boks thrash England 42 - 06

South Africa thrashed England 42 -06 in a rugby union encounter. The Twickenham trouncing represented England's heaviest margin of defeat in all their home internationals, a sequence dating back to 1872.

Narrow shave for Lankan cricketers

Sri Lanka clinched the Dialog series against Zimbabwe with two games remaining by scraping through to a 5 run win in the third of the five One Day Internationals.

Lasintha De Costa to lead SL Development squad

CR & FC fly half Lasintha De Costa will lead a Sri Lanka Development squad, which will feature in an international rugby sevens tournament in Dubai.

Outright wins for Ragama and Chilaw Marians

Ragama CC led by all rounder Kaushalya Weeraratne and Chilaw Marians recorded outright wins over Badureliya CC and Army SC respectively in the ongoing Premier League Tier 'A' inter club cricket tournament. 

England cancels ODIs following Bombay blasts

The final two matches of England's one - day series against India were called off and the test series remains doubtful following militant attacks in Bombay this week.

Striker Torres faces new lay-off

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres will be out of action for two to three weeks after sustaining a hamstring strain in Wednesday's 1-0 win against Marseille.

- Compiled By Ranil Prematilake

Blind cricketers tour Pakistan

A 10 - day tour of Pakistan by Sri Lankan blind cricketers got underway on Wednesday (November 26) and will play five 40 - over ODI's against their Pakistan counterparts, the reining world champions, in Lahore and Islamabad. They will also play   in a Twenty  - 20 match too.

The Sri Lanka team is led by Chandanalumara Suriaratchi with Wasantha Udayakumar as his deputy. Three players are from the Ranaviru Sevana, three from Anuradhapura and one each from Monaragala, Matara, Galle, Bibile, Kegalle and Chilaw.

Rienzie Benedict  accompanied the side as Manager, and  sumanaweera as coach.

They are scheduled to return on December 5.

Athletic Technical  Officials  Examination

An examination to  recruit  technical  officials will be conducted by the  Technical Officials Association  of the  Athletic Association  of Sri Lanka  on  January31,  2009.

Those over 18 years of age  can apply for the examination.  The  application forms can be  obtained  from Athletic Association  Head Quarters at 33 Torrington Avenue , Colombo-07. Tel.2682329 or from  Mr.Lal Chandrakumara , General Secretary  Technical Officials Association  Tel.0718866503.

According to the President  Technical  Officials Association  P.H.D.Waidyatilaka  seminars will be held in  Districts to  educate the  candidates  on current IAAF Technical  rules  prior to the examination.

Closing date  for  applications is 10  January 2009 and no  late application  will be entertained.

SLRFU violates own constitution - Lasitha

By Lal Gunasekera

The Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) has violated its own constitution by having in its Council, persons who are not eligible, and the Minister of Sports and Public Recreation, Gamini Lokuge, has been informed by the National Sports Council (NSC) to look into this matter and take immediate action.

The Chairman of the NSC Dr. Maiya Gunasekera, told The Sunday Leader, that Lasitha Gunaratne, who is also a member of the NSC had tabled a letter regarding this mater on Thursday.

According to the constitution of the SLRFU, a Council member, should have at least played for a Divison I club, national side, representative team or at provincial level to be eligible to be a member of the Council.

Gunaratne, a former Royal College, CR & FC and Sri Lanka player, is also a former national selector. He also points out in this letter to the NSC that the constitution of the SLRFU was further violated with the President's team players wearing the national jersey against the Chinese Dragons, in a game recently.

"The NSA discussed Lasitha Gunaratne's letter in detail, and was of the opinion that if any sports association is violating its own constitution, whatever decision that has been taken could be null and void in a court of law, and a serious offence" said Dr. Gunasekera, himself a former President of the SLRFU, who played for Royal College, CR & FC and Sri Lanka too with distinction.

The NSC decided unanimously to write to the Minister of Sports and Public Recreation, Gamini Lokuge, and this letter was handed over to the Ministry's Secretary, S. Liyanagama, for the Minister's immediate action.

The Sunday Leader also learns that a move is underway to form a Former Sri Lanka Rugby Players Association on the same lines of the Former Cricketers Association. It is understood that Anton Benedict, who is also a former SLRFU President, apart from his distinguished playing career at St. Joseph's Police Havelocks and Sri Lanka, is "working on this matter" and the others involved in it are Priyantha Ekayanayake, Hisham Abdeen, Chaminda Rupasinghe and Lasitha Gunaratne to name a few.

Cricket - Premier league

Hasantha triggers Bloomfield collapse

Former Sri Lanka fast bowler Hasantha Fernando snapped up five wickets for 24 to send Bloomfield crumbling sensationally to a mere 102 runs in their first innings on the opening day of their SLC Premier League Tier A tournament match against Moors SC which commenced at Reid Avenue on Friday.

Scores: Bloomfield: 102 (T. Masmulla 21, S. Kalawitigoda 22, Y. de Silva 23, H. Fernando 5 for 24, D. Lokuhettige 2 for 12) Moors SC: 11 for 1

Bathiya Perera an elegant 139

Middle order batsman Bathiya Perera struck an elegant 139 with two sixes and a dozen of boundaries to help CCC reach 252 runs in their first innings on the opening day of their SLC Premier League Tier A tournament match against Sri Lanka Army SC which commenced at Maitland Crescent on Friday.

Scores: CCC: 252 (B. Perera 139, S. Pathirana 25, C. Vidanapathirana 42, I. Karunatilleke 2 for 17, S. Prasanna 4 for 101) Army SC: 24 for no loss

Tamils fighting hard

Three good knocks from Lanka de Silva (51), Ashan Priyanjan (49) and Isuru Udana (49) helped Tamil Union reach 248 for 8 in their first innings on the opening day of their SLC Premier League Tier 'A' tournament match against NCC which commenced at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium on Friday.

Scores: Tamil Union: 248 for 8 (S. Fernando 30, L. de Silva 51, A. Priyanjan 49, M. Pushpakumara 26, I. Udana 49 n.o, G. de Silva 25 n.o, A. Ganegama 2 for 47, U. Chandana 2 for 49, C. Komasaru 2 for 62) v NCC

Exchanges even at Maitland Place

Baduraliya CC after being dismissed for 146 runs hit back strongly to reduce Chilaw Marians SC to 137 for 6 in their first innings on the opening day of their SLC Premier League Tier 'A' tournament match which commenced at the NCC grounds in Maitland Place on Friday.

Scores: Baduraliya CC: 146 (D. V. Gunawardena 41, U. K. Aravinda 20, D. Hettiarachchi 5 for 48, G. Wijekoon 3 for 19, C. Perera 2 for 39) Chilaw Marians SC: 137 for 6 (M. Siriwardena 49 no, N. Perera 21, A. Prasad 2 for 43, D. Arnolda 2 for 17, P. Jayaprakash 2 for 46)

Play washed out

Heavy overnight rain washed out the opening days play of the SLC Premier League Tier 'A' tournament match between the defending champions SSC and Ragama CC at Braybrooke Place yesterday.

Sri Lanka dig in to beat Zimbabwe

Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by two wickets in Harare to extend their lead to 4-0 in the five-match one-day series.

Spinner Ajantha Mendis grabbed 6-29 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 146, with Keith Dabengwa top-scoring with 32.

Sri Lanka lost three batsmen without scoring and slipped to 33-3 in their response, with Tawanda Mupariwa taking two wickets in successive balls.

But Jehan Mubarak's steady knock of 60 not out from 98 balls saw them pass their target with 15 balls to spare.

Sri Lanka were made to battle for the win for the second match running, after cruising to victory in the opening two matches.

The final match of the series will be played in Harare today, when Sri Lanka will be looking to secure a whitewash.

Chamil, Linda take honours at Ceylinco Life monthly medal golf tournament

By Ranil Prematilake

Nineteen year old schoolboy Chamil Wickremasinghe (Mens Gross) and expatriate Linda Harris (Ladies Gross) stole the honours at the Ceylinco Life Monthly Medal gold championship organised by Victoria Golf and Country Resort and sponsored by Ceylinco Life Insurance and worked off at the picturesque Victoria golf course at Rajawella off Kandy over the weekend.

A  large number of golfers took the field in this beautiful golf course which provided spills and thrills for the golfers. The afternoon showers in the Victoria region made the golf course look a billiard table and the Course Manager Maheel Bulumulla used his expertise to make it challenging forcing the golfers to use their skills to come to terms with it and to prevent them from running up big scores.

Linda Harris a regular player at Victoria  won her first major trophy when she won the plum for the Ladies events by lifting the Gross Division title with a score of 98. But she faced a fierce challenge for this title from another expatriate and regular winner Sonia Boyle who also registered a similar score. But on a count back on the last nine holes Linda Harris edged out by having 9:42 while Sonia Boyle had 9:52. 

Three golfers tied for the third spot Indira Tibblin, Jyoti Haynes and Manori Jayakoddy of Hyundai fame with all registering 101 gross. But a count back on the last nine holes saw them ending up in the order mentioned above. Excellent scores were also registered by Suven Selvaratnam and S. Rasika.

Suven Selvaratnam playing to a handicap of 8 registered a Net score of 72 to walk away with the Ladies Net Division title. Linda Harris playing to a handicap of 24 finished runner up with 74 gross. Manori Jayakoddy who showed glimpses of her old form ended up second runner up with 77 Net playing to a handicap of 24. Also excelling in this division were S. Rasika, S. Sandhya, Jyoti Haynes, Indira Tibblin, Sonia Boyle, Pauline Morley and Lillian Perera.

Chamil Wickremasinghe showed pleasing form to win the Mens Gross Division with an excellent score of 76 but he was challenged to this title by that colourful Englishman Ian Tait who also registered gross 76. It was on the count back on the last nine holes saw young Chamil Wickremasinghe getting the better of the experienced Englishman. 

Chamil Wickremasinghe had 9:38 while Ian Tait had 9:42 in a closely contested affair. Regular winner Sujeewa Lankatillake finished with 77 gross with just one point separating the trio. A stray hit cost Sujeewa Lankatillake the title. Also coming up with good scores were S. Pradeep, Tony Witham (85), Sam Gunaratne (89), Noel Joseph (93), Errol Johnston (94), Sunil Jayakoddy (94), and Bo Lindberge (98) and Sirosha Gunatillake (98). 

Mens Net Division went to Noel Joseph who got 69 Net playing to a handicap of 24. This was also Noel Joseph's first major trophy at Victoria. Englishman Ian Tait once again finished runner up with a Net 70 playing to a handicap of 6. Ian Tait was once again unlucky as he tied for the top position but was edged out on the count back on the last nine holes. Chamil Wickremasinghe finished third with 71 Net with versatile Tony Witham too getting 71 Net making the fight for the top position a difficult one. Sujeewa Lankatillake too was in the running at one time with 72 Nett. Also registering good scores were Nirosha Gunatillake, Suren Vass, Bo Lindberg, Ravi Mediwake, Sam Gunaratne, Errol Johnston and Sirath Kasthuriratne.

Tony Witham won the Gents Net Division two with 71 Net. Nirosha Gunatillake finished runner up with 74 Net. In third spot was Suren Wass with 77 Net.

Doing the honours at the Awards ceremony were Sujeewa Lankatillake. Ms. Noel Witham, Dilshan Perera (Ceylinco), Rajiv David (Ceylinco), Sunil Jayakody, Sonia Boyle, Nishantha Kiriwardena. This was followed by a grand dinner dance.

Little 13 BOC Ran Kekulu Cricket from December 5

By Lal Gunasekera

The first ever Schools Provincial Cricket Tournament for 2008-2009 for under-13 age group conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA) along with Masscom (Pvt) Limited and sponsored by Bank of Ceylon for the Little 13 BOC Ran Kekulu Trophy will see the second round games being worked off from December 5 to 20.

The first round matches in Davison I, II, and III have been concluded and 86 teams will be drawn into six provincial groups comprising Western, Central, North Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa and Uva, North Central and North Eastern.

The six final round matches will be played in Colombo (Western), Matale and Kandy (Central), Kurunegala (North Western), Galle and Matara (Sourthern), Ratnapura (Sabaragamuwa and Uva) Anuradhapura, Dambulla and Matale (North Central).

A total of 1450 matches will be worked off within 16 weeks, while the Little 13 BOC Ran Kekulu Trophy division I all-island tournament will be played in Colombo soon after the provincial tournament.

The Little 13 BOC Ran Kekulu Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year and Little 13 BOC Ran Kekulu Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year contests will commence early February next year (2009) and will receive their awards at a grand ceremony to be held in Colombo in March.

There will be 36 tams (54 games) in nine groups in Division I fo the second rounds, 48 teams (72 matches in 12 groups) in Davison II of second round and 144 teams (120 matches on 30 over basis) in Division III.

Ten in the All-Island Little 13 BOC Ran Kekulu Davison I Schools Championship, the second Round comprising      36 teams in nine groups (54 games) will be played from December 5 to 20, pre quarter-finals before January 30, quarter-finals on February 5 and 6 at the MCA grounds and Campbell Park, semi-finals on February 9 and 10 at the MCA grounds and the final on February 13 also on the MCA grounds.

The media briefing to announce the sponsorship and tournament details was held on Thursday and attended by Chairman, Bank of Ceylon Dr. Gaimini Wickramasinghe, Managing Director Masscom (Pvt) Ltd. Thilanga Sumathipala President of SLSCA Dr. A.S. Hewage, Secretary SLSCA Dilshan de Silva, Deputy General Manager Bank of Ceylon I.D. Weerasena, Sports Facilitator Bank of Ceylon Brendon Kuruppu and Aravinda de Silva

Scolari is not ruling out Arsenal

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is refusing to rule Arsenal out of the title race - even if his side beat them at Stamford Bridge today.

Arsene Wenger's Gunners are 10 points behind Scolari's Premier League leaders, and are down in fifth place.

But Scolari said: "Even if you're 15 points clear with five games to go, you're not champions. You're only champions at the end of the last game.

"This is a big game. Wenger's team play football, so it's difficult to win."

Scolari is looking forward to pitting his wits against his old friend Wenger in the team's first Premier League encounter of the season.