SLC clarifies Mahela Jayawardene’s role

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) yesterday clarified Mahela Jayawardene’s role with the national team following several media reports to the effect that he wasn’t actively involved in the on-going tour of New Zealand.

SLC stated that Mahela Jayawardene, who is working for Sri Lanka Cricket as the Consultant Coach has not been tasked with the job of touring with the national team. His functions as the Consultant Coach are to be in charge of the overall cricketing element of the national teams and to provide invaluable strategic support for the players and management teams at the High-Performance Centre.

Accordingly, Jayawardene works on coach and player development programs, the strengthening of domestic cricketing structures, and also focuses on developing the U-19, Development, and national teams. He only travels with the national team if Sri Lanka Cricket management deems it necessary for him to do so.

Jayawardene, who is a highly regarded cricket personality across the cricketing world, has been an invaluable asset to Sri Lanka Cricket since his appointment. According to Jayawardene, he has even declined a coaching offer from one of the ICC member boards in order to serve Sri Lanka Cricket.