22 February 2021 06:16 pm
Former Sri Lanka fast bowler Chaminda Vaas has resigned from his post as Consultant bowling coach and will not be a part of the support staff for Sri Lanka's tour of West Indies.
Vaas’ resignation comes hours before the Sri Lankan team travels to the West Indies later tonight.
Even though his resignation is effective March 26, Vaas had informed Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) he would not be available for the tour of West Indies.
He had, according to a SLC media statement, made an “unjustifiable demand” for an increased remuneration ahead of the tour and had resigned after SLC had not acceded to his request.
Vaas responded to the SLC statement by tweeting: "I made a humble request to SLC and they turned it down. That’s all I can say at the moment. Justice will prevail!."
In its statement, SLC also hit out at Vaas calling his move “irresponsible”.
“It is particularly disheartening to note that in an economic climate such as the one facing the entire globe right now, Mr. Vaas has made this sudden and irresponsible move on the eve of the team’s departure, based on personal monetary gain,” the statement read.
“The Management of SLC, and indeed the entire nation, hold Mr. Vaas in high esteem as a cricketer who has excelled for his country. His years of yeoman service have been appreciated and rewarded over the years both in status and in kind.”
“In such circumstances, it is extremely disheartening that a legend such as Chaminda Vaas has resorted to holding the administration, the cricketers, and indeed the game at ransom, by handing in his resignation at the eleventh hour, citing the administration’s refusal to accede to an unjustifiable demand for an increased USD remuneration, in spite of being a contracted employee of Sri Lanka Cricket, already receiving remuneration that is in keeping with his experience, qualifications, and expertise, in addition to which he would have been entitled to the usual USD per diems offered to all members of a traveling squad,” the statement also said.
Vaas was appointed as Fast Bowling Coach for the West Indies tour last week, after Australian David Saker resigned from the post.