Former Lanka cricket chief Thilanga wants his position back

Monday, 28 November 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Former Sri Lanka Cricket head Thilanga Sumathipala on Sunday said he was keen to contest the re-elections for the top post to be held on January 3.

“We are in the process of building a team to contest the election. The team will decide later who will run for what position,” Sumathipala, a parliamentarian from the ruling UPFA coalition, said.

He said that his team would meet on December 12 to make a final decision.

“I will definitely be keen to contest for presidency provided my team wants me to contest”, Sumathipala added.

The nominations for the first SLC election in seven years are to close at 12 noon on December 19.

Sumathipala, twice elected president of SLC, had his last elected administration sacked by the then minister of sports in 2005.

Since then, the SLC was run by different politically appointed interim committees. Each of these committees have faced accusations of mismanagement leaving SLC in poor finances.

SLC is currently cash strapped to the depths of not being able to meet payment obligations including the player salaries. Sumathipala said his team had already finalised a 10-point plan to revive the SLC.

He said Sri Lanka’s cricket needs direction and he was capable of putting in place measures to cause a reversal through his five-year plan.

The SLC elections came after the ICC imposed its rigid condition that member countries would face eviction unless elected bodies are entrusted with the administration by 2012. Sumathipala in fray would set up a keenly contested battle with the head of the last of the interim committees, Upali Dharmadasa also running. (Source: PTI)