Arjuna launches last-ditch effort to revive SL cricket

 Sri Lanka’s former cricket captain and Chairman of a new interim national cricket board Arjuna Ranatunga, looks on before a press conference at the Sri Lanka Cricket Board office in Colombo yesterday – AFP 

• Makes commitment to make Sri Lanka Cricket corruption-free and cut costs
• Says he will focus mainly on uplifting sport while other members will look into improving administration practices 
• Expresses confidence that cabinet sub-committee appointed to look into interim committee’s appointment will not hamper its efforts 
• Claims instilling discipline in players is of utmost significance in efforts to revive cricket 

The newly appointed Chairman of the Cricket Interim Committee Arjuna Ranatunga yesterday made a commitment to lead efforts in making the Sri Lanka Cricket Board free from corruption and to significantly cut down the institution’s costs during his tenure.

Ranatunga, a former Minister and veteran cricketer said that the Interim Committee under his leadership will focus on uplifting the sport and also working towards enhancing the efficiency of the sporting administrative body. He said, however, this will be his last attempt to revive the sport in Sri Lanka. 

Minister of Sports Roshan Ranasinghe took the step of suspending the executive committee of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board yesterday in response to the national cricket team’s underwhelming performance over the past few months, particularly during the ongoing Cricket World Cup tournament. Following this action, he appointed an Interim Committee led by Ranatunga to address the issues and challenges facing Sri Lankan cricket.

Ranatunga said his main focus will be on uplifting the sport and improving the performance of the players while other members of the committee which includes three former judges will look into administrative matters. 

Despite the President forming a cabinet sub-committee yesterday to investigate the appointment of the interim committee, as there were reports suggesting that Ranasinghe did not inform the President about this decision, Ranatunga said he remains confident that there will be no complications or issues regarding the appointment. “The President knows me and of cricket,” he said. 

Ranatunga revealed that upon his appointment six former Sri Lankan players who are currently in Australia reached out to him to extend their assistance to him. 

He also noted there are approximately 80 retired Sri Lankan players, and he intends to garner their support for the future development of Sri Lankan cricket.

He further emphasised that individuals currently employed by Sri Lanka Cricket should not adopt a casual tourist-like approach but must commit to their roles on a full-time basis. Ranatunga maintained that Sri Lankan cricket has been negatively impacted by the introduction of superfluous elements in the past, which have also influenced the mindset of the players.

Ranatunga said this marks his final endeavour to revive Sri Lankan cricket. He said instilling discipline among the players is of utmost significance in his efforts to revive the sport.

Furthermore, Ranatunga indicated that he has a distinct and methodical plan for the revival of Sri Lanka cricket, which he intends to implement. 

Ranatunga visited the Sri Lanka Cricket Board following his appointment yesterday amidst cheers from cricket fans gathered outside the premises. There have been rising calls to replace the country’s cricket administrators with past players such as Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva and others due to the dismal performance of the team in recent times.