Asantha sacked, Aravinda in

26 May 2010 02:40 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 128 Bookmark

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Sports Minister C.B. Ratnayake has sacked the national cricket selectors headed by Asantha de Mel and has appointed a new set of national selectors headed by legendary batsman Aravinda de Silva.

SEE MORE ON SPORTS: http://www.dailymirror.lk/index.php/sports/cricket/3973-aravinda-heads-new-cricket-selection-panel.html

Comments - 128

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 04:24 PM

At last the joker is out. Aravinda is a good choice, so lets see if he will be able to withstand political pressure to carry excess baggage in the team,

4 82

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 04:29 PM

Congratulations Aravinda and the new selectors. I hope and pray that for the sake of Sri Lanka Cricket you guys will have the guts and courage to pension off the greedy manthrithuma once and for all (from all forms of cricket) and give a chance to a young and promising cricketer

0 58

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 04:41 PM

Good work Sir...

1 18

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 04:44 PM

Need more information. At a glanze it is a good decision.

1 22

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 04:48 PM

Let's hope the change will do good for Sri Lankan cricket.
Selection should be always on current form and not past record and emphasis on youngsters and not elderly........
We wish the new committee all the best.

2 16

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:00 PM

Calistus the joker is replaced with a traitor in Ranjith Fernando. He hates too see Sri Lanka do well.

53 10

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:06 PM

He souldnt have been appointed In the first place. He is well known for his charector when he was playing tests in the 80s.

7 16

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:07 PM

Thank You very much Ashantha De Mel and his team for all your efforts and best wishes for Aravinda De silva and his other members for the future .Left to be seen whether they could deliver it right

35 11

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:08 PM

Another 'MAN' from Ambalangoda!. Congratulations.
All the best Arvinda, Do the right thing wothout any political pressure!.

5 9

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:12 PM

Aravinda, take your guard... play cool as you did on the pitch... C.B.R. Has done the correct decision....

0 8

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:13 PM

Bravo...... very good decision. well done minister

0 7

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:13 PM

Thank you Mr. Minister C. B. Ratnayake.

0 8

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:20 PM

Hope the rest of team of selectoros will also be good as Ara.

All the best!

1 4

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:21 PM

Previous Regime did some good work under pressure , we have to accept that over the Progress our team made during the past , but not enough. Good luck to Aravinda , wish he will do some innovative changes from Asia cup onwards.

0 6

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:22 PM

Arvind, Be a Sri Lankan NOT a Sinhalese and try to change the Muslim Names to Buddhist names. If you do that You are disgracing the SINHALA community world wide.
Hope you will follow the steps of DS.
A Lankan

22 7

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:24 PM

Congratulations Aravinda. I beleive you are capable of giving us the spirit among thousands of young cricketers who wishes to come into the side. Even though 11 players are in a cricket team give some hope for these youngsters that the selection is only upon their talent. They will be happy and the people of the country also will be happy if we select best 11 players to the team. Everybody want to see Sri Lankan team winning the game only. They don't care who is in the cricket team and who is the captain of the side because all players are like their sons.

.Whatever said or done I thank Mr. Asantha de Mel for holding this position for several years with lot of pressure from everywhere. And I wish him and the former selection committee a better future.

Thank you all.

2 5

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:29 PM

IDROS, What Asantha had done for CRICKET(excpt being a player)?.

3 7

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:29 PM

Aravinda sir.... make the selection process professional, so no idiot can take the role & do it simply........

2 3

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:34 PM

nishan well said, he is king of negativity.

5 0

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:47 PM

A good future for Sri Lanka Cricket.

0 5

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:50 PM

Whever anyone say anything agaist This govt or say soemthing against its actions, they are called 'TRAITORS'. Why you guys are paranoid? Asantha is a total flop. 9 out os 10 people will endorse it.

1 7

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:56 PM

Another day, another select committee.. The best the minister could do is dissolve the committee for good and appoint a captain per tour. Ask the captain to pick the team, if the team fails, sack the captain and fine him. May be Chinese way but I can't see any other way out!

3 4

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 05:58 PM

Very good move by appointing Ara as a head of selectors but why was tow pete's on the panel Should have been given a chance young crickters like roshan mahanama or attapattu!

0 2

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 06:02 PM

FINALLY A CHANGE!!!

0 3

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 06:08 PM

Cant believe about Ashanta's shamelessness

1 4

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 06:08 PM

How about Jayasoorya..Mr.Minister?

2 4

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 06:10 PM

Hello !! First, MP should be kicked out!!

3 7

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 06:31 PM

As long as politics is involved in cricket even a honest person would not be able to do his job properly. My best wishes to 'Ara' and his team!

1 14

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 06:37 PM

Good move, sir. My congrats to Aravinda!

0 8

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 06:46 PM

I was looking forward to this day.

0 6

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 06:52 PM

Wise decision!

0 8

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 06:53 PM

At last, sanity prevails. It is great to see Aravinda as the chief selector - a true gentleman who will not tolerate any nonsense. He has set a benchmark by selecting the under 19 team. Wish you all the best sir!

0 11

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 07:03 PM

Throw Sanath out!

5 18

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 07:24 PM

First job for 'Ara' is to sack MP S. T. Jaya...

3 17

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 07:29 PM

We hope that you will play with a 'straight bat,' as you did on the field.

0 11

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 07:51 PM

Aravinda is one of the best choices! I am sure Aravinda will not give-in to political pressure.

0 9

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 07:52 PM

At last our prayers are answered! Good luck, Aravinda ... wish you get all the necessary support. Cheers!

0 7

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 08:00 PM

Hope Aravinda will get everything right and develop cricket at 'grass-root' level.

0 6

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 08:23 PM

Good decision; I'm sure Aravinda will do a better job!

0 5

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 08:25 PM

At last we see a 'silver lining, in the dark cloud.'

0 6

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 08:55 PM

CORRECT CALL BY THE SPORTS MINISTER! NOW SACK OUR 'YESTER-HERO' SANATH!

0 9

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 09:06 PM

Thanks CB! Take Arjuna next.

2 6

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 09:43 PM

That's the best choice! Also, get Hashan and Marvan in ...

0 7

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 10:31 PM

Congratulations Aravinda! We know you are a neutral person. Please focus the world cup. Select the best 15 for it. Well done, new minister.

0 6

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 10:32 PM

All the best to both Aravinda, and his team. Hope you will get rid of Jayasuriya ...

1 6

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 10:43 PM

Well done, Mr. Minister ... We know that Aravinda will do his best for SL cricket.

0 5

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 10:52 PM

The present Minister seems to have more brains and guts than the previous one. Aravinda has faced "bumpers" on the international scene. Let us pray that he is able to face the "political bumpers" that will come his way.

0 5

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 11:00 PM

Great move! Never thought that this day would come! Good luck, Aravinda!

0 4

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 11:35 PM

Thank you Mr. Minister, for a good move. But, can either the Minister or the new selectors, led by Aravinda, drop the great liability that is Sanath J.? I doubt it ...

1 2

Wednesday, 26 May 2010 11:40 PM

Congratulations 'Ara'! By the way, thanks Mr. Minister.

0 3

Thursday, 27 May 2010 12:01 AM

Welcome move from the Minister and all the best to Aravinda!

0 3

Thursday, 27 May 2010 12:10 AM

A very sensible decision. Let these selectors now decide on the future of the 'once upon a time blaster' Sanath.

0 3

Thursday, 27 May 2010 12:20 AM

Good choice ... but Ranjith Fernando? What a mediocre joke he is. His commentaries are a 'pain in the ear.' He is a 'HAS BEEN' and the same goes for Shabir Asgerally. They should have included Marvin Attapattu and perhaps Rumesh Ratnayake or, at least, someone like Bandula Warnapura.

0 6

Thursday, 27 May 2010 12:33 AM

Well done Mr.Minister! it does not matter wheather this was done with the instruction from the top (as it allways happened in the past) this is a good move. Getting rid of that useless De Mel is a blessing as he has caused enormous losses for Sri Lanka by now..! Ari..we hope you will live up to the school alma mater of "Country before self" & make Uncle Sam proud!!

0 1

Thursday, 27 May 2010 12:44 AM

let Namal Rajapakse handle everything openly

2 1

Thursday, 27 May 2010 12:47 AM

Asantha not only put cricket down, along his way out he put CPC in a debt. Good move atlast ..

0 3

Thursday, 27 May 2010 12:53 AM

Nishan you are a donkey, if you dont know something dont try to be smart, RF is a well respected man the world over, who cares bout your openion

1 2

Thursday, 27 May 2010 01:00 AM

A man with little words . Good selection

0 2

Thursday, 27 May 2010 01:15 AM

Will others allow him to do his job?

2 25

Thursday, 27 May 2010 01:45 AM

ane dont drop jayasuriya. would love to see him hammering all the bowlers in 2011 word cup...........

3 2

Thursday, 27 May 2010 01:53 AM

This is the best news that I have heard in years. Hope " Ara " will have sufficient time to select the best available squad for World Cup 2011? Having met Rumesh few days ago in Dubai, I just wished that minister appointed him as well instead of Ranjith Fernando. Comprising Aravinda, Rumesh, Upul Chandana, Mahesh Gunatilake would have been ideal selection committe. There are three wicket keeper batsmen and one batsman in the selection panel now. There are no bowlers??

2 2

Thursday, 27 May 2010 02:09 AM

Good batsman does not mean he is a good selector or an administrator.

2 3

Thursday, 27 May 2010 02:17 AM

Hurray! Fantastic move. At last an intelligent political decision. Let us hope this will be successful. Aravinda deserves this spot. However, let us hope that he will not be carried away!

0 2

Thursday, 27 May 2010 02:30 AM

thanking Asantha for what? Keeping Sanath in the team???

2 15

Thursday, 27 May 2010 02:57 AM

Did this comment come from this guys rear end. Please be careful when using the word traitor.

5 10

Thursday, 27 May 2010 02:58 AM

Thank you minister best decision of this millennium by a sri lankan sports minister

0 3

Thursday, 27 May 2010 02:59 AM

Congrats Ara, hope u ll do a good job. On a different note, please give some respect and gratitude to Sanath, how many times has he thrilled us with his batting... But Sanath u should retire if u r not upto it, before u get thrown out even without a farewell match like Vass

1 1

Thursday, 27 May 2010 03:07 AM

You mean, take Arjuna to the fold too? I fully agree.

1 1

Thursday, 27 May 2010 03:13 AM

Now Sanga can breathe a sigh of relief. Oh, how we were waiting for this day! And just in time too. Congratulations Aravinda, you are the one to do the job and don't you cow down to political pressure; use your pull shot when you must.!
All the best to you.

0 4

Thursday, 27 May 2010 03:14 AM

Absolutely correct even Amal silva is a joke, I wonder why these jokers keep coming up, are there not any other qualified to be on the panel.

0 3

Thursday, 27 May 2010 03:14 AM

good move please let him do free on his job he know who will play well for national team..

0 2

Thursday, 27 May 2010 03:21 AM

Finally.... :)
I think aravinda can do better

0 2

Thursday, 27 May 2010 03:21 AM

Congratulations Aravinda, good move by the Minister. Hope for the best in cricket?

0 2

Thursday, 27 May 2010 03:24 AM

Finally we have a good selection team.
I hope Aravinda will select the better players for the National team. Good Luck Guys.
Lets see who will do the things for the Sri Lanka Cricket.
Cheers.

0 3

Thursday, 27 May 2010 03:27 AM

The same old buses. New boards.

2 1

Thursday, 27 May 2010 03:28 AM

Good move in the right direction. Hope Aravinda will not bow down to political pressure. At last we can see a light at the end of the tunnel where selection of the team is concerned. It is also the time Mr. Minister you revise the Board as well.

0 3

Thursday, 27 May 2010 03:39 AM

I would rather wait and see all your comments in March 2011.(after next WC) than writing any now

0 3

Thursday, 27 May 2010 04:08 AM

I heard that MP ST was included in the squad in the US under pressure from a big wig. ST had wanted his name to appear in a ground breaking match. What a jerk!!!!! The only over he bowled was the highest over in the two matches.

1 3

Thursday, 27 May 2010 04:14 AM

I HOPE ALTLEAST ARVINDA WILL BRING ORDER TO THE S.L.CRICKET

0 4

Thursday, 27 May 2010 04:14 AM

It's your duty to find young all-rounders with extraordinary talents,give them a chance & make the best cricket team in the world !. You must have courage to remove old MP's with Hemiplegia !.

1 12

Thursday, 27 May 2010 04:23 AM

Jokers out, well done minister. Allow Arawinda to work witout political influnce.

0 4

Thursday, 27 May 2010 04:25 AM

Why Rumesh, becos he is your friend, he is running around coaching China and other asian newcomers so he does not know jack about our talent, I agree with the other names, and
enough wicketkeepers and aging have beens who have been on the panel and mucked up in the past............

0 6

Thursday, 27 May 2010 04:31 AM

Best of the Best

0 3

Thursday, 27 May 2010 04:39 AM

He he. Now he is too old and his eye sight is failing him badly. Dont embarrass the old fellow please.

1 1

Thursday, 27 May 2010 04:42 AM

Hopefully this type of decisions will be taken in other institutions as well. Country will develop if only the rulers has the ability to select the most qualified for the jobs.

0 2

Thursday, 27 May 2010 04:42 AM

Please get rid of Sanath Jayasuriya and Murali.

2 2

Thursday, 27 May 2010 04:43 AM

Hook all those making trouble out of the ground for six

0 3

Thursday, 27 May 2010 04:50 AM

Vassy is lucky but Marvan is unlukky. Brave move by the minister, the best since Sanga appointed as Captain.

0 3

Thursday, 27 May 2010 04:51 AM

Wish you all the best. I hope you have courage to take bold decisions.

0 2

Thursday, 27 May 2010 04:56 AM

Aravinda has got all the ingredients to be a good administrator.He was a great all rounder in the field. If not the greatest Sri Lanka has ever produced. How about Allen Border of Australia, Greame Pollock of SA, Si Garfield Sobers of WI. They all became successful Administrators. We need to develop our own people ,good people and get rid of scumbags. I say well done Mr Minister. Hats off to you.Good luck.

0 2

Thursday, 27 May 2010 05:16 AM

Reading all comments I think we are expecting too much from Aravinda. He was in cricket admin earlier and did a good job but not an excellant job.

0 2

Thursday, 27 May 2010 05:18 AM

THAT'S A GREAT START MR.MINISTER.

I ADMIRE YOUR GUTS.
THAT'S A CLASSIC STROKE.
KEEP IT UP.

I HOPE ARAVINDA WILL GET RID OF THAT 'MAJOR PAIN'

0 3

Thursday, 27 May 2010 05:35 AM

Weldone C. B. You have a back born. Nice Move. Good future for SL cricket.

0 4

Thursday, 27 May 2010 05:51 AM

Aravinda is still the best...... Good luck man....

0 3

Thursday, 27 May 2010 05:53 AM

I wonder whether Minister is aware that Ashantha is connected to the royal family. Anyway, good job Mr Minister. Aravinda is a good choice. No one seems to compliment the minister - but hurl bricbats or bouquets at Ashantha, Ranjith F, Aravinda

0 1

Thursday, 27 May 2010 06:11 AM

Ali Madiwata HARAk!!!!

3 1

Thursday, 27 May 2010 06:12 AM

Good Move ....well qualified gentleman. who made country proud many many years...

0 3

Thursday, 27 May 2010 06:26 AM

Congratulation, Sports Minister for taking the correct desicion which was long overdue. Whoever the replacement for Mr Ashantha de Mel would I'm sure will do a better job than what Mr de Mel was doing. I sincerely hope that Mr Aravinda de silva will stop backing Sanath Jayasooriya, the old joker trying to hang around when his services are no longer possible and are needed. Wish Sri Lankan cricket all the best!

0 1

Thursday, 27 May 2010 06:33 AM

Ara.... Try to do best for our motherland not to politician.. congrats..

0 4

Thursday, 27 May 2010 06:52 AM

I take my hat off for Minister Ratnayaka. I hope that you would continue to work to keep politics off from cricket.

0 5

Thursday, 27 May 2010 06:57 AM

Iqbal, lets not drag religon into this. Any individual has his rights to change his name whether it be Muslin, Sinhalease or Tamil or Portuguese or from Mars.... This has been the downfall of many a nations. Picking a good team is not purely on what religion you belong to but, on merit and merit alone.

0 4

Thursday, 27 May 2010 06:59 AM

AS FAR AS POLITICAL PRESSURE INVOLVES IN SPORTS , NO COUNTRY CAN COME UP. POLITICS IS A BUSINESS, THINKING MONEY, NOT NATION. BETTER SJ SHOULD RETIRE BEFORE FORCE HIM TO RETIRE DISGRACEFULLY. EVEN THOUGH, WE SHOULD NOT FORGET SJ IS A HERO IN 1996 ACCEPTED WHOLE CRICKET WORLD. SJ SHOULD RETIRE NOW AND SERVE NOW TO NATION AS M.P LIKE ARJUNA. REMEMBER PHYSICAL STRENGTH NOT PERMANENT FOR A HUMAN BEING. WHEN TIME COME, GIVE UP SPORTS AND PLAY POLITICS.

1 3

Thursday, 27 May 2010 07:06 AM

The Best Move. Hats Off to you Minister Ratnayake.
Congrat’s Mr Aravinda De Silva and other selectors. Let the Parliamentarians be in the Parliament and give the chance to the young guns.

0 2

Thursday, 27 May 2010 08:19 AM

well done, at last we got a man who can select right person

0 2

Thursday, 27 May 2010 08:21 AM

Ya its a good move for sl cricket specially sacking asantha .And hope sl cricket will develop

0 1

Thursday, 27 May 2010 08:24 AM

CONGRATULATIONS MY FRIEND ARAVINDA. BEST CRICKETING MOVE OF THE CENTURY. HOOK THE UNWANTED OVER THE ROPES TO THE DIYAWANA. A MINISTER WITH BRAINS & GUTS SENT HOME A PETROL DEALER WITHOUT BRAINS & GUTS. GOOD LUCK SRI LANKAN CRICKET.

0 1

Thursday, 27 May 2010 08:37 AM

Congrat's Aravinda,

I am sure you know what to do to improve SL Cricket.

0 2

Thursday, 27 May 2010 09:06 AM

It is not a secret that Sanath J. has served tremendously to the upliftment of the Srilankan cricket.. ever since his taste buds were started to taste the "Mumbai sweets", then his sports career begun to end...during last couple of years we could not see any progress or productivity by him... So, it is not fair he continues without giving any visible contributions...So, we propose him it will be a good opportunity for him to say "good bye" to the pitch during the forthcoming "Asian Cup" matches in Sri Lanka..... Furthermore, Minister C.B. has made a good move by appointing Ara and his crew....What all Sri Lankans wants to see is Good Cricket... not personalities......

0 0

Thursday, 27 May 2010 09:26 AM

Should have been done long ago.We would have had more
cups with us. Hope Ara can do a good job sans political pressure. First move is to get our yester year hero to retire gracefully.

0 0

Thursday, 27 May 2010 09:55 AM

Yeah its a good move for sl cricket .And good luck Aravinda hope you will give sl team a good and strong side for upcoming tournaments

0 3

Thursday, 27 May 2010 10:36 AM

Thank you Mr.Minister. What a contrast from the previous joker or is it a change of heart at the very top. Anyway it is good.

0 1

Thursday, 27 May 2010 10:57 AM

Asantha De Mel the biggest joker to be in the cricketing history is sacked. Well done Mr. Minister !

Aravinda now sent old stalwart Sana the MP packing home. Please look at Youngsters like Jeewan Mendis, Kaushal Silva, Dinesh Chandimal and Jeevantha Kulatunge to fill the vacancies.

0 1

Thursday, 27 May 2010 11:16 AM

Congrats Aravinda.We appreciate you getting this top job,but with MR and Co around you will be just a pawn.If you are allowed this job without any interference,you will bind a Trophy winning team.All the best.

0 1

Thursday, 27 May 2010 11:24 AM

No doubt whole country will be happy, good choice.

0 2

Thursday, 27 May 2010 11:34 AM

One of the best decisions that sri lanka cricket have taken.Best of luck aravinda

0 2

Thursday, 27 May 2010 11:41 AM

Aravinda was a good classy batsman no daubt wat so about that but remember he was a captain too few ocations. I remeber how he did it wasnt that great. Aravinda is a quiet person like to do his own things his own ways. I like him but we need a person who has the capability of managing a team with a unbound leadership qualities. Unfortunetly he dosnt have that nor he has shown in his career.Anyway I wish him good luck and lets see how he handle it. Hope he will do a excellence job for the country.

1 1

Thursday, 27 May 2010 11:44 AM

the master of criket in the board now,,, thanks for taking this responcible MR. Aravinda,,,,, we want maters in the game,,,

0 1

Thursday, 27 May 2010 11:53 AM

Congratulations Aravinda. Be brave enough to put cricket & country first. Don't be intimidated by having to compromise to elect your old friends or to any form of political pressure. Select the best team irrespective of the fact that they are young / new / from rural areas or whatever the race or religion. Your name will be respected for ever by cricket fans in S/L & throughout the world.

0 1

Thursday, 27 May 2010 12:07 PM

Congratulations AraVinda ! pls get rid of M ad P eople first

0 0

Thursday, 27 May 2010 12:25 PM

anybody can do better than Ashantha Demel..Ashantha did evrything against the team but to his benefit,,,

0 0

Thursday, 27 May 2010 12:37 PM

Most suitable man is Sidath wettamuny

0 0

Thursday, 27 May 2010 02:08 PM

Dear Aravinda,
We need to see talented 11 instead of Aravinda 11 (in place of Asantha 11).
Well done CB, we expect more from you for Srilankan sports.

0 1

Thursday, 27 May 2010 03:10 PM

Thank you very much minister, It is a very good step for SL cricket, you choose the right person and let him to do the job without political interfearing. Hope he will pick youngersters for Asia cup. Enough is enough time to say good bye to SJ.

0 0

Thursday, 27 May 2010 04:24 PM

What are you smoking?

0 1

Thursday, 27 May 2010 04:25 PM

Are you talking about cricket or fighting a war!?

1 0

Thursday, 27 May 2010 04:54 PM

Well, wish that he was not sacked politically, because if he was they would practice the same influence on Aravinda. Well, Aravinda have played with Sanath Jayasuriya and now would still favour him. There is a lot of changes to take place in the selections(chaminda Vass!), to satisfy the people.
Lets hope Asantha has a good vesak!

0 0

Thursday, 27 May 2010 05:30 PM

In the last few weeks Jayasuriya has made statements which are not true at all. He says that the general public wants him to play till the next world Cup. There is no evidence of this .On the contrarary numerous sports writers and the general public wants him to get his " Butt " of the field for good. This is clearly shown in various publications in the internet editions which is
in English. Jayasuriya is not conversant in the English Language and hardly reads the varios publications which appear in the Internet

1 0

Thursday, 27 May 2010 11:41 PM

Very good decision - we really need Ministers who are bold enough to do the right thing, at the right time! WELL DONE!

0 1

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