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Last Updated : 2024-04-26 02:12:00
Fast bowler Lasith Malinga is being investigated by Sri Lanka's cricket board after comparing the country's sports minister to a monkey, the BBC reported.
Sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekara told Sri Lanka's players they were too fat after they failed to reach the Champions Trophy semi-finals.
Malinga, 33, responded by saying he did not care for criticism "from those who are simply warming chairs".
"What does a monkey know about a parrot's nesting hollow?" he added.
"This is like a monkey getting into a parrot's nest and talking about it."
Jayasekara said Malinga's comments were a breach of his contract with the country's cricket board.
"In my criticism of the appalling fitness levels of our players, I did not name Malinga, but he has chosen to put the hat on and attack me publicly," he added.
Malinga won the Indian Premier League title with the Mumbai Indians before the Champions Trophy, and missed Sri Lanka's high-altitude training.
Jayasekara spoke out after Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed was dropped twice off the bowling of Malinga as Sri Lanka failed to progress from their Champions Trophy group.
"The typical body fat amounts for a cricketer should be about 16%, but most of our players have over 25%," he said.
"I want the results analysed and in future no-one will be included in a national squad if they are above 16%."
Trehan Munasinghe Friday, 23 June 2017 10:19 AM
I suggest that all those entering Parliament should also do a BMI (Body Mass Index) before handing in nominations... because as all of you can see we have a overweight majority, and an unfit Parliament can't be good servants to the people.
dishanstc Friday, 23 June 2017 09:56 AM
Malinga has been mistreated by the SLC and there is lingering grudge, Sri Lanka cricket fans will have to put up with losses, seems everybody's ok with that
Manuel Benjamin Friday, 23 June 2017 09:57 AM
MS should replace Dayasiri soon other-wise, we cannot prosper in our sports.
Kadupol Jothywansa Friday, 23 June 2017 09:58 AM
Minister Dayasiri is only suitable to be the Women's affair minister .... Ha....Ha...Ha.... Well said, Malinga you are right.
nick Friday, 23 June 2017 10:00 AM
both are wrong not qualified to make such statement must be sent to reconciliation speaking practice via DM Android App
Anton Edirisinghe (Cricket Coach) Friday, 23 June 2017 10:01 AM
Malinga I don't believe even Sports Minister had played Tennis Cricket as he basically does not know anything about Cricket.
Leon Berman Friday, 23 June 2017 10:03 AM
Quite obviously the use of a metaphor is beyond our sporting Einstein
Dallas Amarasekera Friday, 23 June 2017 10:03 AM
Dayasiri putha, you should not open your mouth, if you don't know the subject and the reality, see how wisely Mahinananda ran the show, learn from him.
Desmond Jeromme Friday, 23 June 2017 09:55 AM
If Arjuna Ranathunga is appointed as a sports minister, all the sports in SriLanka will flourish.
Anja Friday, 23 June 2017 10:19 AM
Good move a via DM Android App
Satha Friday, 23 June 2017 10:22 AM
Hon.Minister of Sports,please forgive these remarks,most of the players under tension and you know well three catches dropped during the Pakistan match what tension for the bowlers. Winning match just lost.The players are under your roof like children,let the past be past show your Mahatma quality.Don't take advice, somebody may take advantage overthis . Your Mahatma quality first.No match for this attitude.
Anushka Wijepala Friday, 23 June 2017 10:30 AM
Well done Malinga! We are with you. Unprofessional ministers are a headache for Sri Lanka. There is no reason for Dayasiri to talk about "bellies". If there is a problem with players fitness, he should have talked privately. By the way "Monkey" is a good hat for Dayasiri :D
Pramod Fernando Friday, 23 June 2017 01:07 PM
OK we'll send a team from the parliament. They think they know it all including how to play cricket. So, why not?
Selvakumar Monday, 26 June 2017 04:38 PM
Whether all sports in Sri Lanka will flourish or not, the Ranathunga family will fiourish
david strange Wednesday, 28 June 2017 05:47 AM
Malinga is now a "has been - a self-centered individual who puts himself above his country - more like the clown in a 3 ring circus; time to go?
david strange Wednesday, 28 June 2017 05:48 AM
Luckily it isnt Arjuna Ranatungas season...imagine what the minister would have said; they called him Mr.Waddle in australia
cyril Friday, 23 June 2017 08:05 AM
Fair enough, Mr Minister. Weed out the donkeys in the SL cricket team, including those who can't bat, can't bowl and can't field.
ara Friday, 23 June 2017 06:12 AM
well done malinga, keep it up, the two catches were not dropped because of fitness, with Thisara total lapse of concentration, Sekuge's one was 50:50, better show this guy the clip of heschelle gibbs drop catch in 1999 world cup, if our fitness is not up to standard, there are paid people to address the situ
ara Friday, 23 June 2017 06:14 AM
the minister is a joke, so if angelo mathews has 17% body fat he will be dropped, is that what this joker is saying, mu tennis ball cricket gahala loku talk danawa
dulan Friday, 23 June 2017 06:31 AM
Well said Malinga we are with you
Sunil Friday, 23 June 2017 06:47 AM
This time I am with Malinga! Is this the burning issues for us today? As fellow citizens of this country we are not interested in such an investigation bcos there are more serious problems... Rather, we are interested in seeing what the government is doing to bring down COL, attracting foreign investment, solving dengue crisis, solving garbage issue, how they punish culprits who are involved in corruption (such as bond scam) and other burning issues of this country.
Be Fair Friday, 23 June 2017 06:49 AM
Someone had said before...... "Facts are Stubborn"
Bugs Bunny Friday, 23 June 2017 06:57 AM
It is high time the politicians were also weighed and forced to be physically fit. Most important their mouths must be controlled and forced to work for the benefit of the people.
RuwanL Friday, 23 June 2017 07:14 AM
The minister should not attack players in public. It should be done at a close doors session! The minister is doing a publicity stunt and so is Malinga! Fitness is important but the most important requirement would be talent the ability to play cricket! players should have good reflexes and natural ability!
Kadiya Friday, 23 June 2017 07:56 AM
What else does one call a monkey?
Don Friday, 23 June 2017 06:05 AM
Discipline is good to keep the taxpayers faith. via DM Android App
Ver Friday, 23 June 2017 08:09 AM
This government has achieved only one. Drag down our only international level sport down to Zimbabwe level.
Sonali Friday, 23 June 2017 08:36 AM
I think he meant moron.
Hiran Friday, 23 June 2017 09:34 AM
Dayasiri is a minister, he does not need to play cricket to know that the team players must be fit to play. Malinga should do his job and stay fit while the minister will do his job and ensure the players stay fit. Fitness is not the only factor in winning matches but it certainly is an important one.
raj Friday, 23 June 2017 09:35 AM
Well said...government is trying to distract from the real issues we the people face daily.
yaka mahathaya Friday, 23 June 2017 09:47 AM
i think it is not malinga but the minister has put the hat on . it fits him very well, thankfully.
Dr. A.C.B. Jayaweera Friday, 23 June 2017 09:51 AM
What Malinga pointed out is correct, present sports minister was just like a money, being in the UNP and jumped into Mahinda's UPFA and from there he has jumped to Yahapalanaya with MS.
shanthapriya Friday, 23 June 2017 09:53 AM
our cricketers think no end of themselves.Most of the time common peoples comments and predictions are absolutely true than so called highly regard selectors, past captains, present players and greedy managers of the BCCSL. Common peoples knowledge is far better.
Aladeniya Kirimathaya Friday, 23 June 2017 09:54 AM
Its totally a wrong decision by MS to appoint Dayasiri as sports minister as he does not know any sports properly and only showing off on a May day rally as a Karate master.
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