Downfall of SL cricket due to politicisation: Arjuna

14 December 2011 04:38 pm Views - 12082

Former Sri Lankan Cricket Captain turned opposition MP Arjuna Ranatunga today charged that the politicisation of Sri Lankan cricket had led to the downfall of it. “Cricket is being politicised today more than ever before,” he told Parliament today.

Mr. Ranatunga made this point in response to the charges made by his former colleague turned politician Sanath Jayasuriya that player politics had led to the downfall.

Former Sri Lankan captain said the ‘Mudalalis’ who took control of Sri Lanka Cricket had tuned it into the most corrupt organisation in the country today.
He recalled that it was the hard work of former cricket board president,  the late Gamini Dissanayake and Tyrone Fernando who pave the way for Sri Lanka’s world cup victory in 1996. He recalled how the late Mr. Dissanayake laid the foundation for the development of Sri Lankan cricket by obtaining test status for the country in 1982. He also recalled how Sri Lanka achieved its first test victory in Colombo in 1985 against India and the first overseas win in 1995.

He said the ‘Mudalalis’ who gained control of Sri Lankan cricket seeing how it was developing into a financially sound organisation got rid of its former president Ana Punchihewa who was a gentlemen.

Mr. Ranatunga charged that Sri Lanka cricket had lost US$7.6 million through frauds committed by a recent interim committee. He also came out with another US$ 4.2 million fraud out of a Twenty20 tournament which never took place in Sri Lanka as planned. In addition he said the total debt of Sri Lankan Cricket had gone up a staggering Rs.90 billion as a result of exorbitant spending on the new cricket stadium. He said the ICC had never requested Sri Lanka to build new stadiums to host the world cup.

In the meantime he referred to the perks given to the foreign cricket coaches stating that they should not be given tax concessions.  “Tax concessions should be given to the local coaches,” he said informing that so many local cricket coaches are working overseas.

Charging that a private TV channel had been given the sole rights to broadcast all cricket matches played in Sri Lanka, he said such a monopoly should not be created. (Yohan Perera and Kelum Bandara)