da brwin： Sri Lanka’s cricket administration was plunged into a fresh crisis on theweekend as four members of the recently appointed interim committee runningthe Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) revealed that theywould handing over letters
da pixbet： CricInfo12-May-2002Sri Lanka’s cricket administration was plunged into a fresh crisis on theweekend as four members of the recently appointed interim committee runningthe Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) revealed that theywould handing over letters of resignation to the Sports Minister on Mondaymorning.Chairman of selectors Michael Tissera, secretary Kushil Gunasekera,treasurer Tryphon Mirando and Sidath Wettimuny have been incensed by theSports Minister’s surprise decision last week to send former board presidentThilanga Sumathipala to the International Cricket Council (ICC) ExecutiveMeeting at London in June.Johnston Fernando, who appointed the present ten member interim committeelast month for a 12-month period, had first recommended that Sumathipalalead the delegation to London, but later compromised, declaring that HemakaAmarasuriya, the present interim chairman, would head the team withSumathipala as back-up.But Sumathipala’s inclusion in the team was still fiercely resisted by thefour members. They maintain that Sri Lanka should be represented by membersof the board, as per traditional protocol, and not by persons without anyofficial role within the administration.Fernando is believed to have recommended Sumathipala’s nomination in thefirst place on the basis that his considerable experience as a cricketadministrator (he has been BCCSL President twice in the last three years)gives him extra clout at an important ICC meeting.The Sports Minister now faces an embarrassing situation. If he accepts themembers’ resignation then the interim committee loses key administrators ata crucial time for Sri Lanka with four months remaining to the ICC ChampionsTrophy, a showcase tournament for the country. Should he back down again, hecould lose face.The Prime Minister, Ranil Wickramasinghe, who has been keeping close eye onthe cricket board, had an emergency meeting with Amarasuriya, the boardchairman, on Friday, presumably to help defuse the current crisis.Sumathipala, currently in Malaysia on business, has told the Sunday Timesthat he would be delighted to represent Sri Lanka at the meeting should theminister request that he does so.Tissera, who was due to depart for London on Saturday to assist with SriLanka’s selection for the first Test at Lords starting Thursday, has delayedhis trip.
