SLC says Chandimal’s statement of receiving blessing was deliberately misrepresented

Sri Lanka Cricket has said national Test Captain Dinesh Chandimal’s recent statement to the media that Sri Lanka’s recent win in the Test series against Pakistan was due to him receiving the blessings of a ‘Maniyo’ was misinterpreted by the media.

Issuing a statement, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLA), drawing attention to the transcript of the statement made by Chandimal at the press briefing held at SLC on 31 October, said the statement in Sinhala had been deliberately misrepresented by sections of the media.

The English translation of the statement is as follows:

Q: There were various reports on social media stating that you had received blessings from a ‘Maniyo’ prior to the Test series. Did this help you win, and if so how?”

A: It’s like this - any religion blesses, furthermore no religion enables wrongdoing. Therefore not only this particular person but even if any member of the clergy blesses me I will gladly accept that blessing. One’s belief in the effectiveness of this blessing is a personal matter that is different from person to person. I personally believe in obtaining blessings before any endeavour. There may be some who have different views, this is my view. That is the answer I can give to this question.

Q: So did you’ll lose the ODI series because you’ll were not blessed?

A: There is no such thing. Everyone needs blessings but talent too. Just because you have any blessings, you won’t succeed without talent, likewise even if we have talent we can’t move forward without the blessings of you all. That’s the reality. No, no one sent me to her. She is the mother of one of my friends, and the picture is one taken at a function we attended. There is press freedom in this country, so anything may be construed.

Sri Lanka Cricket in its statement requested all editors to clarify the misrepresentation and give due publicity to the actual statement made by Chandimal in the best interests of cricket and the reputation, goodwill and image of both Sri Lanka Cricket and the country  as well as Chandimal.

Samaraweera to coach Sri Lanka’s batsmen

ESPNCricinfo: Former Test batsman Thilan Samaraweera will be Sri Lanka’s batting coach leading up to the 2019 World Cup, SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala has confirmed.

The move is expected to be rubber-stamped on Monday, when Samaraweera arrives on the island from Melbourne, where he lives. The following day he will travel with the team to India, where they are set to play three Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is. Samaraweera will have his work cut out on the tour, in shoring up a batting unit low on confidence.

While the role of batting coach is officially a first for the 41-year-old former middle-order batsman, he has previously had stints as a batting consultant with other national outfits - with Bangladesh since September last year, and a brief stint with Australia prior to that. He replaces Hashan Tillakaratne, who had taken up the role on a temporary basis in July ahead of India’s visit to Sri Lanka. Tillakaratne will now go back to his role as batting coach of Sri Lanka’s developmental squads.

A veteran of 81 Tests, in which he scored 5462 runs at 48.76, Samaraweera retired from international cricket in 2013.