Why cricket won't cry for Arjuna

IF it is possible to overlook his arrogance and uncanny knack for fomenting controversies, then, the summary eviction of Arjuna Ranatunga from cricket's high chair last week might have evoked some sympathy. Think of it: here's the country's only World Cup winning captain, a folk hero, shooed away from office hardly a year after being handed the keys to cricket.

Few tears shed

It's no way to treat any chief of cricket, let alone one responsible for adding, in 1996, the golden page to the history books of Sri Lanka cricket. It is unfair, nay, inhumane. That is the sort of reaction Ranatunga's unceremonious removal by the Sports Minister should've aroused - and provoked his followers to take to the streets. But instead few tears, if any at all, were shed - and this seemingly cold farewell, it must be said, was by and large his seeking.

But for a small coterie of his loyalists, few others will disagree with the view that his term of stewardship was an unmitigated disaster. He leaves his yet unnamed successor with much fence-mending to do, at home and overseas. Plainly said, his abrasive nature and obsession with unilateralism, not surprisingly, earned him more enemies than friends.

A politician

His many detractors would like to think the game has seen the last of Ranatunga. But that wish ignores the fact that the man is a politician and, like those of his breed, is master in the art of manoeuvre. In fact, a day or two after his dismissal he reportedly set off to see the President of the country seeking reinstatement. Nearly a fortnight has elapsed, but no word has emanated from that meeting. So one can only assume the President hasn't bought his story.

If that be so, then his re-entry to cricket administration under this government, of which he is a part of, would pretty much be wishful thinking. Placed in such a hopeless situation, a crossover to the opposition cannot be ruled out. He has never been shy of declaring publicly he hankers for the Sport Minister's job. He had hoped the former president might've given him the job during the formation of this government back in 2004 - but when it was given to Jeevan Kumaratunga instead, Ranatunga walked out of the swearing-in ceremony, venting his displeasure.

A crossover to the opposition on condition he gets the job of sport minister should it one day secure power, might not be a gilt-edged deal, but there doesn't seem to be another avenue open to pursue his ultimate ambition. Right? Not quite. 

The new committee has yet to be decided, which means his old chair remains vacant yet. And you'd be na‹ve to assume that the he is going to sleep through this nebulous period. There's been news circulating he has been offered a ministerial post as recompense. If that story is credible, then, there's good reason to believe that negotiations between him and the President are continuing, and it is difficult to see him settle for anything other than the job he was sacked from. After all, it should not be forgotten the man only last year forsake the Deputy Tourism Ministry's post for the cricket chief's chair so as to overcome a rule that supposedly tabooed politicians from holding office in sport bodies. If he wanted to keep both jobs, he might've cited more than a few politicians who are sport administrators as well and won the day. But in his impatience to lay hands on cricket's reins, he didn't to wish to spend time haggling over the second job.

Minister of sports

His preferred occupation could not have been made more obvious, and thus, historical evidence says that this time round he is not going to be appeased by the offer a job he lumped only last year anyway - unless it is Minister of Sports. Otherwise, he wants his old job back, period.

The vagaries of national politics, it must be reminded, could decide if there's going to be a second coming for the old legend, and that means a comeback remains in the realms of the possible. That, though, is not the question - rather: is he suitable for the job?

The one year he's been in the job, there's little to speak in favour of his reinstatement. He proved to be serial botcher; his many indiscretions have been too well-documented to be retold here. Suffice it is to say, he tread on just about everybody's corns - fellow administrators, staff, players, selectors, clubs, sections of the media. all except his few loyalists, some with dubious pasts.

He plunged headlong into controversy with cricket boards of other countries as well, most damagingly with the powerful Indian board over its IPL. As if his caustic "instant noodles'' metaphor for the popular Twenty-20 event wasn't bad enough, Ranatunga then attempted to prevent 13 top players from participating in the IPL next April-May by unilaterally committing the national team to an English tour during the same time - only to be overruled by minister Lokuge's sanctioning the players' participation in the IPL.

He irked the Pakistani Board too. Political violence might eventually have denied Pakistan from hosting the ICC Champion's Trophy in late 2008. That outcome was anyway a possibility from the beginning of 2008, but it is protocol that another country doesn't offer itself as an alternative venue while the assigned host-country isn't yet unwilling to give up on the event. But Ranatunga rushed where wiser men wouldn't - and was as good as told to mind his own business by the PCB.

Whether it was meant to be a bridge-building exercise with the PCB or a glancing blow at India, we'll never know, but when India scrubbed out its scheduled tour to Pakistan early this year, Ranatunga readily offered to send his country's team to fill the gap and agrees to an itinerary of three Tests, three ODIs and a Twenty20 -decisions taken by him unilaterally. Again. After his removal, however, the Foreign Ministry reviewed those decisions, which suggests it hadn't been too pleased with them in the first place, especially in the context of a worsening relationship between India and Pakistan. The foreign office subsequently approved the tour, the itinerary of which will, however, be a Test less than that originally agreed to by Ranatunga. The reason: the tour, as per Ranatunga's plan, follows soon after the ongoing series in Bangladesh and doesn't provide a reasonable period for recuperation in-between.

Do as I tell you

It is hard to comprehend why a veteran of 93 Tests and 269 ODIs in 18 years of international cricket, can't quite set his mind on developing a healthy relationship with his national cricketers. As one who in his playing days conflicted with the administration and so knows firsthand what harm that can do to the team, you'd expect him, as chief, to foster a healthy relationship with the team. In retrospect, however, Sumathipala and the Dharamadasas, both of who he derided as inept cricket chiefs lacking understanding of the players' needs, did a far better job of maintaining meaningful relationships with the team. Ranatunga's stand on player-relationship, apparently, was one of "do as I tell you''.

It is no secret there's little love lost between the cricket chief and the team. And consequently, it is hard to keep down the rumour that suggests his motive was to destabilize the national team so that his 1996 deed could hold its place in history - in isolated splendour. This of course is mischievous assumptions of his enemies, and won't find its way into the book of facts.

Rather, the reason for the souring of relationship between chief and national team could well be in the 20-year generational gap between his time as player and 2008. He probably believes the methods of his time are a surer way to success, proof of which is the winning of the World Cup. Then the game had less money, and players, living in the new world of Test cricket, were far more obedient. They wouldn't dare defy authority and risk their place in the national side - unless big money was available elsewhere, as it was in apartheid-era South Africa. Some went there and earned life-bans. That's another story.

Ranatunga's career was bred in that era when just playing for the country was reward enough, which is why he never wastes an opportunity to tell that story of how he traveled from home by train and bus to play a Test match. Thanks to his and his generation's contributions, cricketers these days are spared of the difficulties cricketers of decades ago endured.

Respect for that contribution is not something the present generation of players has ever denied him - and so, a better foundation to build a healthy relationship with the team could not have been found. Unfortunately, the one-time captain didn't see it that way. He apparently knows no other way to deal with men and matters than his 'do as I tell you'. It is a character trait of the man. A year of that, and see the troubles it has caused Sri Lanka cricket. Another year of the same and only God knows where our cricket is headed to.

Trinity cricket enjoys a rich heritage

By Hafiz Marikar

With the inter school cricket season, at its peak, Trinity College Cricket is on the correct path once again, and   focusing on winning matches. Trinity is one of the oldest cricket playing schools in the country. Trinity not only produced several top class cricketers but also produced several invincible teams in the early years

After being in the doldrums, once again cricket is back   on the pedastal.A big hand should be given to the present players for their fine performanceso far this season.

In the early days Trinity has battled it out for supremacy with schools like St. Joseph's, Royal, St.Thomas, St. Peters, Wesley, St. Anthony's St. Benedict's, Kingswood, Dharmaraja and Zahira.

The first real effort of building up a cricket side at Trinity came with Cater in 1892. He was a real enthusiast. So, in the following year they started playing against Royal College ( the third oldest school cricket match in Sri Lanka). It was in 1898 they played their first game against St. Thomas and it is said that this game became an annual fixture, but no records are available. In 1903 Trinity played against Wesley, In 1908 against St. Joseph's,in 1927 against Zahira,in 1955 both with Kingswood and Dharmaraja and also they have played with Dharmaraja once in 1898 (Dharmaraja became regular first term game in 1964, and  against Kingswood in 1957) St. Benedicts in 1915 ,St. Anthonys in 1914, Ananda in 1955.

 Right through the turn of the century to the mid 1940's. Trinity cricket was right on top. Trinitians boast of an unique performance from 1921 to 1924 which no other cricketing school could even dream of achieving. No school will ever equal this record  . They were not merely unbeaten in those four years but they won every single game they played. There wasn't a single drawn game, the curse of present school cricket.

Their great majority of wins were by an innings. In the first two years they were captained by Percy Maralande and their team had players of the caliber of Pug Shockman, Johnny Murray, Robin Fibson, Philip Buultjens, G. David, R. Halangoda, L.C. De Mel, C. Ratwatte, Edwin Jayawardene, A.B. Madawala, V. Jayaweera, H.R.V. Johnson and that great bowler R.B. Ettipola.

In 1923 and 1924Trinity was captained by V.C. Shockman, and some of the players  were  Philip Buultjens, De Mel, G. Halangoda, Murray Madawala, H.R.V. Johnson,  R.B. Ettipola. L.A. Pichaurd, Henry Delwita, Fred Murray, Ernest Aluwihare and Herman Schokman.

Trinity's first win against Royal was in 1896. In 1913 and 1916 Trinity shared the championship with St .Joseph's and in 1915, 1926, 1937 and 1944 they were champions in their own right. The 1913 team was led by C.E. Simitharahchi who later became the Principal, and had players like Richard Aluwihare, A. E. Shockman, B. H. Dunuwille, R.E. Ondaatje, W.P.B. Beligasmana, C.E de Silva, C.V. Jayasinghe, T. V. Krishnapillai and D.C. Dunuwille. They were followed by great players like Harry Inman, Alfred Aluwihare, J.A. de Joseph, A. Halangoda, L.M. Goonawardene, R.C. Edwards, J.L. Roberts, Frank Sirimanne, P.B. Kapuwatte, J. Bandaranayake, J.R. Burton. J.E. Yorke, King Maung. I. M. S.. Deen, W. Winter, W.M.A.Wahid, L.R. Pilimatalawe, L. Thalakada.

Between 1912 and 1925 if Trinity were not champions, they were certainly runners up. In 1937, Trinity led by O.L. Izzadeen were champions. They dismissed the Thomians for 22, Wesley for 36, and convincingly beat Royal , but rain halted them from beating their rivals St. Anthony's. This team included players like T.B. Marambe  who later became a great coach, Percy Madugalle, John Halangoda, Bobby Schoorman, N. Narendra, Sammy David, R. Ratwatte, T. Jainudeen, Wilhem Molegoda, and Duncan Ruth.

In 1944 , Trinity had a good team under T.B. Werapitiya, and had players like Michael Kagwa, C. Schokman, Bolly Perera, A.C. Bandaranayake, A. Yatawara, Rudra Rajasingham who became the IGP, A.P. Fernando, Malcolm Wright, Quintus Jayasinghe, Bobby Ruth and B. Seneviratne. This team too won the majority of their matches.

The year 1966 saw Trinity's last great team under the leadership of Harendra Dunuwille, and had players like Himendra Ranaweera, Chandra Amunugama, Ajith Abeyartne, L. D. Abeyartne, A. Herath, Nihal Marambe, Glen Vanlangenberg to name a few.

Some of other top products of Trinity are J.W. Aiyadurai, Eddie Bultjens, B. Wijewardene, C. Dharmalingam a great bowler, Reggie de Alwis, Rex Breckenridge, Leslie and Jerry Handunge, S.A. Odayar his son Uvais Odayar, K. Kannanagara, V. Ratwatte, D. Aluwihare, Pat Solomons, Hilary Abeyartne, Godfrey V. Perera, S.B. Pilapitiya, K.B. Sangakkara, Lakshman Jayakody, Frank Sirimanne, A. Imbuldeniya, Lakshman Kadirgamar, Rudra Rajasingham, Gamini Tennekoon, P Ballale, Gamini Fernando, better known for his rugger, M. Wanduragala, L. Wadsworth, Lucky Vitharana, Nimal Maralande, J Inman, Malsiri Kulukulusuriya, Roger Abeyartne, M.T.M. Zarook. Mohan Sahayam, Harendra Dunuwille, Himendra Ranaweera, Ajith Abeyartne, Glen Vanlangenberg, S.M. Perera, Lalith Ramanayake. Panduka Aluwihare, Denham Madena, Mevan Balalle, Thushara Weerasuriya, Nilantha Rathnayake. Chaminda Unantenna, Ravi Ratnayake, Dambawinne brothers, Ramesh Dunuwille, C.I. Fernando, Dudeepa Ratwatte, Kumar Sangakkara, Kaushalya Weeraratne and recently Sachith Pathirane.

Cricket heritage of Trinity has always been associated with the historic grounds at Asgiriya. Since 1915 the home of Trinity cricket is Asgiriya, now a changed International test venue.

In the recent past Trinity had a very lean period , but this year there are signs of a great come back.

This season Trinity has done well, under the leadership of all-rounder Rushan Jaleel, a  few days back they beat Kingswood and St. Anne's by an innings, with Rushan Jaleel leading from the front with the help of players like Dilan Gangoda, Kithmal Wimalaweera, Dinuk Weeraratne, Nirosh Dikwella, Akila Jayasundara, Thushara Gunatissa. So, this time the Trinity cricketers are all-out to bring back the past glory.

New SLC Interim Committee next week

By Lal Gunesekera 

The new Interim Committee for Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will be announced on Tuesday or Wednesday ending weeks of speculation since the removal of the Arjuna Ranatunga led administration on December 23, by the Minister of Sports and Public Recreation, Gamini Lokuge.

The three persons whose names are on Minister Lokuge's list include the former Secretary  of the IC, Mathivanan and the two Dharmadasa brothers Jayantha and Upali.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Minister Lokuge, said that there were plenty of controversies since Arjuna Ranatunga was appointed in January 2008, replacing Jayantha Dharmadasa.

"Ranatunga was employing people in various capacities with massive salaries and perks. He was taking arbitrary decisions without consulting the other members of the IC. Not renewing the contracts of 18 empoyees from January 1 and employing new persons since his appointment with big salaries and perks was also questionable" said Minister Lokuge.

Minister Lokuge also told The Sunday Leader that Ranatunga was following "A take as you please" policy and giving salaries to "these people" as he pleases.

There is no proper salary structure and people taken hapazardly, with massive salaries and perks. We want to put things in order" said Minister Lokuge.

He further told The Sunday Leader that the cabinet has approved and a bill will be brought before Parliament soon for four to five trustees to be in charge of the finances of SLC. Its with the Legal Draughtsman at present and the Trustees will include the Chairman of the Interim Committee of SLC, Secretaries of both the Ministries of Sports and Finance and two or three others" said Minister Lokuge yesterday.

The Ranatunga led administration was dissolved on December 23, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Sports and Public Administration, S. Liyanagama, appointed as Competent Authority.

The Minister too extended the term of the national selectors (Ashantha de Mel, Don Anurasiri, Ranjith Madurasinghe and Jayantha Seneviratne) by a further three months ending March the year.

Cricket - Inter-School Under - 19 

Fifth outright win for Ananda

Ananda fought their way back after Dharmasoka MV Ambalangoda had taken the edge on the first day to record a convincing seven wicket win in their U-19 inter-school cricket encounter concluded at Ananda Mawatha on Friday.

The result saw the Anandians take the Ajith de Silva trophy which was on offer for the first time. It was Ananda skipper Dinesh Chandimal who laid the foundation for their win by cracking a 57 with Ananda chasing 167 for victory reached the target losing just three wickets. Earlier in the day Dharmasoka batting the second time were no where near their form as they collapsed to a low score of 126 with Ruvinda Shamen and Mateesha Perera doing the damage.

Scores: Dharmasoka MV 168 and 126 (Ashen Kavinda 51, Lahiru Ashen 24: Ruvinda Shamed 4 for 36, Mateesha Perera 3 for 37)

Ananda 127 and 170 for 3 (Dinesh Chandimal 57, Praboda Seneviratne 39, Udesh Nadiranga 28)

Petes have the edge

Half tons by the Perera brothers Angelo who made 58 and Denham 52 gave St Peter's the edge on day one of their U19 inter-school cricket match played at Bamabalapitiya. The duo's knock which was supported by Shivanga Ranasuriya and Chathura Peiris helped the Petes end their innings on a formidable 253. St Benedict's in their turn were 128 for 7 with skipper Angelo and Vinod Perera sharing five wickets.

Scores: St Peter's 253 (Angelo Perera 58, Denham Perera 52, Shivanga Ranasuriya 46, Chathura Peiris 40, Vindo Perera 23: Dilanka Auwardt 3 for 63, Suren Silva 3 for 63)

St Benedict's 128 for 7 (Nisal Fonseka 32, Suren Silva 21, Sandun Sampath 42 n.o.: Angelo Perera 3 for 49, Vinod Perera 2 for 9)

Joes amass a massive 336

An unbeaten ton by skipper Shameera Weerasinghe with a half ton from Treshan Rajasooriya saw St Joseph's amass a massive 336 against St Sebastian's who made 59 for 1 at the end of the first days play in their U19 inter-school match played at Moratuwa.

Scores: St Joseph's 336 (Treshan Rajasooriya 67, Harin Silva 42, Chathuranga Kumara 38, Shalindra Perera 27, Shameera Weerasinghe 100 n.o.: Akila Aponso 5 for 108, Samitha de Mel 2 for 66)

St Sebastian's 59 for 1 (Hehsan Dias 24, Ishara Fernando 32 n.o.)

Thomians' on top

Chamod Pathirana and Lalinda put on a valuable 153 runs partnership for the fifth wicket helping S. Thomas' make 271 for 9 before declaring against Nalanda in the U19 inter-school match which began at Mt Lavinia yesterday. In reply Nalanda were in deep trouble with the score on 36 for 4.

Scores: S. Thomas' 271 for 9 declared (Chamod Pathirana 82, Lalinda Perera 82, H. Perera 31, Adrian Kerner 24: Nipun Karunanayake 4 for 40, Adeesha Nanayakkara 4 for 76)

Nalanda 36 for 4 (Chethan de Silva 17: Chamod Pathirana 2 for 1, Hemaka Ariyaratne 2 for 10)

Trinity take upper hand

Exchanges were even on day one of the U19 inter-school encounter between Wesley and Trinity which is played for the R.L. Kannangara trophy at the Campbell Park. Wesley taking first lease of the wicket made a modest 179 while Trinity ended the day on 130 for 5.

Scores: Wesley 179 (Pasan Samarasekera 42, Ashen Fonseka 41, Raninda Sooriyakumara 36: Akila Jayasundara 4 for 42, Rushan Jaleel 4 for 60, Thushara Gunatissa 2 for 36)

Trinity 130 for 5 (Mohamed Sajid 31, Dilan Gangoda 56 n.o, Trian Hamer 2 for 19, Dulanjana Wiejsinghe 2 for 32)

Cricket - Premier League - Tier 'A'

Kandamby a swashbuckling 184

Thilina Kandamby led SSC's recovery with a 215 ball knock of 184 helping his side make a mammoth 436 for 9 declared against Badureliya CC in the Premier Tier 'A' inter-club cricket encounter played at the SSC ground.

Thilina's knock comprised 19 boundaries and two sixes as he came to SSC's rescue when they were struggling with five of their top batsmen back in the pavilion with the score on 58. He was associated in two fruitful partnerships first for the sixth wicket of 110 with Nuwan Zoysa who contributed 79 and then for the seventh wicket which yielded 165 runs with Shalika Karunanayake who made 76. Badureliya CC in their turn were 15 for 1. The match will be continued at 9.45 a.m.today.

Scores: SSC 436 for 9 declared (Thilina Kandamby 184, Nuwan Zoysa 79, Shalika Karunanayake 76, Sachitra Senanayake 40: Amila Prasad 4 for 112)

Badureliya CC 15 for 1

Marians set for big score

Half tons by Amal Athulathmudali (93) and Roy Silva (78) helped Chilaw Marians to a formidable score of 361 for 7 on day one of their match against Moors played at Braybrooke Place.

Scores: Chilaw Marians 361 for 7 (Amal Athulathmudali 93, Roy Silva 78, Nimesh Perera 28, Malith Gunatileke 25, Nimesh N. Perera 20, Gayan Wijekoon 86 n.o.: Chanaka Welagedera 3 for 93, Chamikara Mudalige 3 for 121) vs Moors

Rupasinghe the saviour for Tamils

Gihan Rupasinghe saved Tamil Union with a superb knock of 146 which included 20 boundaries and a six enabling the home make 304 against CCC in their match played at the P. Sara Stadium. Gihan's useful knock came when Tamil Union were in dire straits with the score on 66 for 7. He put on two valuable partnerships one of 107 for the eighth wicket with Omesh Wijesiriwardena and the other of 104 for the last wicket with Malinga Surapullige who remained unbeaten on 59.

Scores: Tamil Union 304 (Gihan Rupasinghe 146, Omesh Wijesiriwardena 36, Malinga Surappullige 59 n.o.: Chaminda Vidanapathirana 3 for 83, Gamini Chandrakumara 2 for 40, Nuwan Perera 2 for 51, Sujeewa de Silva 2 for 80)

CCC 16 for no loss

Low scoring game at Colts

Colts were 102 for 4 in reply to Army's 175 at the end of the first days play in their match played at the Colts ground.

Scores: Army 175 (Indika Karunatileke 51, Damith Balasuriya 40, Nawantha Ratnayake 23 n.o.: Sajeewa Weerakoon 4 for 46, Nuwan Kulasekera 2 for 23, Kanishka Elvitigala 2 for 43)

Colts 102 for 4 (Angelo Mathews 30, Rajeewa Weerasinghe 44 n.o., Jeewantha Kulatunga 15 n.o.: Nawantha Ratnayake 3 for 36)

Tharanga century save NCC

Upul Tharanga cracked 119 helping NCC end on 254 for 7 against Bloomfield in the match played at the NCC ground.

Scores: NCC 254 for 7 (Upul Tharanga 119, Kanchana Gunawardena 35, Lasith Fernando 30: Tharanga Lakshitha 3 for 47, Shanuka Dissanayake 2 for 71) vs Bloomfield

Visa scam hits Badminton now

By Lal Gunesekera 

The Colombo Crime Division (CCD) of the Police, who are investigating a visa racket by about a dozen individuals including some top athletes, have now uncovered another visa scam involving a person who had connections with past administrations of the Sri Lanka Badminton Association (SLBA). Also being investigated by the CCD are persons with connections to Karate and Weight-Lifting too.

An officer of the CCD has visited the headquarters' of the SLBA at Maitland Place last week to find out the names of senior players who had been sent overseas for various tournaments in 2007 and 2008. The Chairman of the Interim Committee of the SLBA, Professor Ranjith de Silva, who happened to be at the SLBA office at that particular time, had given the names of the senior players, who were sent abroad last year (2008) since the Interim Committee was appointed in March last year by the Minister of Sports and Public Recreation, Gamini Lokuge.

Professor de Silva, told The Sunday Leader that the list of players included the three Karunarante brothers, Thilini Jayasinghe and Chandrika de Silva, who went abroad last year and told the officer from the CCD that he will submit the list of players who went abroad the previous year (2007) once he (professor de Silva) peruses the records and that he will assist with the investigations of the CCD.

He also told The Sunday Leader that there was suspicion about one individual, who is no longer attached to the SLBA. He said: Various allegations have been made about this person of sending top junior players to Italy and also to play in some innocuous clubs in England. We cannot prove these allegations, but will conduct our own inquiries.

Professor de Silva further disclosed that this former official of the SLBA, was alleged to have included various names of persons after the Sports Minister had approved the teams and using the letter heads of the SLBA with a view of getting visas for these unapproved persons to travel abroad from Embassies and High Commission in Sri Lanka.

"Now, we will print new letter heads and inform the foreign mission in Colombo not to accept any signatures of persons other than those approved by the Interim Committee. We will decide soon who will be the official signatories. Perhaps this may help to a large extent to put an end to this type of visa scam where big money is involved" said Professor de Silva.

An officer of the CCD spearing to The Sunday Leader on condition of anonymity, said that the CCD had received a petition and were acting on it. He said that the CCD was investigating the matter, but due to lack of evidence had put the investigation "on hold" for the moment.

The CCD are also  investigating another visa racket where the main suspect is in remand custody. The investigations into this scam is not yet over and statements ware to be recorded from the Department of Immigration and Emigration with the dossier of the investigations so far been forwarded to the Attorney-General's Department for advice.

Among the ten suspects in this case are some well known athletes. Investigations by the CCD had revealed that marriage certificates had been forged to obtain visas for persons seeking migration to England and that only the so-called "Bride Grooms" had left the country on visas obtained on forged documents, and not the "Brides".

Wijesinghe says no inquiry

Reference to last week article titled 'Eraj avoids questioning by the Indonesian Police' Wijesinghe says no inquiry or a action of any nature has been taken by the BWF.

There has been internal conflict and upheavals in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for a few years culminating with certain events that took place at the Annual General meeting held in Jakarta in May 2008. During this time I was an Executive Board member and Chair, Administration and Council Member of the Federation. The headline of the article implies some grievous crimes committed by me. As a senior officer of the BWF if there was any such serious wrong doings by me, then it is the BWF that should have immediately instituted an inquiry on the matters. To date, after  seven months and having held two BWF Council meetings

NO inquiry or action of any nature has been taken by the BWF.

At the BWF Council meeting held in September 2008, there was a change in the composition of all Standing committees including  the Chairmen. The above article implies that I was removed for wrong doings. In fact, with the restructure, I was appointed as Chairman, Disciplinary Committee and continue to function as a Council Member.

The Sri Lanka Badminton Foundation was established for the development of Badminton in Sri Lanka of which I am a Trustee. The records of the Foundation will reveal that on previous occasions in the past, when requests are made, funds necessary to pay the subscriptions of the world body have been provided. In the instance referred to in the above article, a written request was made by the SLBA. It is pertinent to mention that all monies are paid DIRECTLY to the Association and NOT to third parties. The issue of wrong figures of active members declared by the SLBA in 2007 was raised by the Sri Lanka Interim Committee with the BWF. I was implicated in the matter  because the Foundation provided the funds to the SLBA and I was one of the signatories of the cheque. At the meeting of the BWF Council held in December 2008, the investigating panel of BWF came to the conclusion that this matter be referred back to the Sri Lanka Interim Committee mainly for the reason that it could not be determined if the declared figure was right or wrong.

I would be grateful if you will publish this response giving it the same prominence as the above article.

M. Eraj Wijesinghe