Thilanga submits SLC Presidential nomination, unveils plan

Thilanga Sumathipala (second from left) addresses the media - Pic by Samad Ashraf

By Madushka Balasuriya

Thilanga Sumathipala has identified “six pillars” which need to be looked at in order to improve Sri Lanka Cricket as he submitted his nomination for the post of SLC President yesterday.

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament cited a strong focus on international as well as domestic cricket as a crucial element, while also espousing the need for a systematic and planned out development structure. For this to be successful, he highlighted the need for “a proper administrative structure.” 

However, his main focus revolved around finance. The interim committee, which has been in charge of SLC for the better part of the year, has overseen a financial revival for the once cash-strapped cricket board, as the past six months have seen a $ 7.8 million debt brought down to Rs. 53 million. And Sumathipala and his team are keen on keeping the finances above board, going forward.

“We will form a financial advisory committee. We have consulted top people in the country; we have contacted former board treasurer Nuski Mohammed to come an assist us in the financial advisory committee. We are taking this matter very seriously,” said Sumathipala, who was flanked by his team of candidates - Vice Presidential hopefuls Jayantha Dharmadasa and K. Mathivanan, candidates for the position of Secretary and Assistant Secretary Mohan De Silva and Ravin Wickramaratne, and Shammi Silva, who is running for Treasurer - as he addressed a packed media room at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.

Sumathipala was also keen on espousing the importance of communication.

“The sixth pillar will be communication, which includes the media as well as social media. Interaction on social media will be key in handling how the board is perceived, and keeping its image at the highest level. Without this, we cannot hope to maintain international standards and gain sponsors.”

However, despite his strong message of long term planning for Sri Lanka Cricket, when questioned as to whether the changes the interim committee has put in place, such as the soft-skills program for national cricketers and the recently announced Elite Championship, Sumathipala was non-committal.

“At this moment in time, we have not seen the final document [of the Elite Championship],” claimed Sumathipala, despite the tournament being unveiled and detailed last month. 

“We will be looking at conducting a three day workshop where we’ll be having a brainstorming session,” he continued. “It’s generally what we do every time we get elected.”

Though he did not delve on specifics, Sumathipala did assure the “good things” suggested by the interim committee will be continued.

“We are definitely expanding upon what they have suggested. All the good things that they have suggested we are going to continue; there is no doubt about it. However, at this moment in time, I have no idea what they have put on the table.”