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Namal ignored requests to lift ban on best cricketers for 2021 T20 world cup: Kiriella

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17 September 2022 12:03 pm - 24     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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It was a mockery on the part of SLPP parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa’s attempt to get credit for the recent T20 cricket Asia cup victory after sabotaging the Sri Lanka cricket team at the last T20 World Cup tournament held in Dubai in 2021 when he was the Sports Minister, claimed the Chief Opposition Whip and Senior Vice President of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Lakshman Kiriella yesterday.   

Mr. Kiriella told Daily Mirror that the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had suspended Kusal Mendis, Dhanushka Gunatilaka and Niroshan Dickwella for one year on disciplinary grounds effective from July 2021.  


All three batters are specialists in the shorter format of cricket and Kusal in particular is a hard hitter and comes to the crease one down or as an opener. He has contributed heavily to strengthen the opening partnership in white ball tournaments that has finally led to make Sri Lanka victorious. I made a request in Parliament after the team selection for the T20 World cup held in Dubai in November 2021 from Sports Minister Rajapaksa to lift the ban of the three on behalf of millions of cricket lovers of Sri Lanka in particular and the sport of cricket at large. But he flatly rejected citing discipline as an excuse. The result was that Sri Lanka was eliminated in the first round after heavy defeats to Australia, England and South Africa. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)


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  Comments - 24

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  • LAN Saturday, 17 September 2022 12:30 PM

    He is not fitting to serve as Sport minister after killing a wonderful Rugby player in Sri Lanka . The skills; talents and abilities of our next generation must be appropriated and acknowledged. But here comes a minister to do politics out of sport .

    D P P Prasad Saturday, 17 September 2022 12:48 PM

    l totally agree with you. A person who is deemed to be murderer. Now he is trying to become a hero

    Curious Saturday, 17 September 2022 12:43 PM

    The credit for winning the T20 Asia Cup belongs to the players. They were brilliant in all departments of the game after loosing the opening encounter. Their body language and the level of maturity was excellent. Attempt by politicians to rob the glory from them is disgusting.

    Triple X Saturday, 17 September 2022 12:43 PM

    So people of Sri Lanka don’t forget NOT to vote for him, when you get a chance next time.

    Milinda Saturday, 17 September 2022 12:47 PM

    In sports players have to maintain decipline inorder to perform unlike corrupt politicians politicians who are unscrupulous and indeciplined. Kirielle you do not have the authority to speak regarding sports because you are corrupt and indeciplined. Get lost before you are thrown out by the people at the next election

    Lanjan Saturday, 17 September 2022 01:04 PM

    NOTHING WILL DO BY SPORTS MINISTER. THIS ALL BELONGS TO PLAYERS ABILITY, SPORTSMANSHIP AND RELATIONSHIPS. SPORTS MINISTER ONLY MINISTRY. ZERO TOLERANCE.

    Citizen k Saturday, 17 September 2022 01:32 PM

    Like your sense of humour

    Ram Saturday, 17 September 2022 02:56 PM

    Discipline must be maintained and the 3 cricketers were suspended for their night activities breaching all rules and they deserved some punishment that will set an example. Who imposed the punishment I do not know and I am no fan of Namal

    Thushara Imaduwa Saturday, 17 September 2022 03:02 PM

    I am not a fan of Namal. But if he actually did cite discipline as you say, then in this scenario he is the hero and you are the villain. As a Nation we lack discipline and that is why we are in this position. The fact that you said this publicly, shows what an undisciplined idiot you are Mr. Kiriella. Hope you disappear from politics sooner than later!

    Suhada Saturday, 17 September 2022 04:30 PM

    You old useless hox Dont try to poke you finger in to subject you dont have any knowledge.just to take cheap political gain.decipline is very importent at all level.at that point they did a mistake and thats why they punished.

    Nihal S Saturday, 17 September 2022 05:51 PM

    I am not a Namal supporter at all. But I do not agree with Mr. Kirielle view. Those 3 were suspended on disciplinary grounds for a valid reason after investigations. It is very correct for Namal not to lift them. In fact, I am disappointed that they did not pay the full punishment. As Mr. Kiriella well know, it is lack of disciplinary and not lack of skills that is the reason for the situation in our country in all fronts. So why did you want to lift the punishment? Are you in favour of sending indiscipline individuals just to win matches? This is what happened in our parliament too. You do not punish the MPs

    Go home Lakshman Saturday, 17 September 2022 06:11 PM

    It is the poor attitude of MPs that us got us to a state where each Sri Lankan in effect owes about 2500 dollars to creditors of the defaulted government bonds. All the cricket winnings will never even overcome 10% of that debt in our lifetimes. Kusal Mendis only compensated 1 million to the cyclist he had the hit run with at 5am after a party. Insurance payout for the car for killing the cyclist could have been that amount even. Any who venerate cricketer and other sport like are not focused on overcoming the millions here who getting less than adequate daily nutrition even. MP Lakshamn Kiriella might score a point with cricket maniacs but he like nearly all MP should go home and be prevented even from contesting ever again.

    SJ Saturday, 17 September 2022 07:40 PM

    may be the lesson that learnt about keeping the discipline is more important. May be a success factor for the recent wins. im not a Namal supporter but people like Kirialla, can wag their tail to any direction. nothing being done only talking ...

    dickie bird Saturday, 17 September 2022 08:16 PM

    Decipline need to be maintained at all cost. Thee are excellent substitutes knocking at the doo for an opportunity. Without Kusal

    Anthony. R Saturday, 17 September 2022 08:35 PM

    It was the Team SriLanka, who with their commitment, and efforts, and their positive attitude towards the game,and the professionalism shown in the field, and a collective Team effort,with a tremendous support of the Coaches and their staff gave SriLanka this Victory. The sport minister, or the former minister,have No Right, to take away the Credit of this Victory,which totally Belongs to the team.

    S.A.NARAMPANAWA Saturday, 17 September 2022 09:42 PM

    There are more talented people in Sri Lanka than Namal Rajapaksha to be the sports minister.But what matters in this bankrupt country is family affiliations than the talent

    Naomi Rik Sunday, 18 September 2022 01:02 AM

    My dear Kiriella. Obviously, you know nothing about cricket or sports in general. Namal Rajapaksa may have got involved in corruption and murders and would have made a lot of mistakes. However, having zero tolerance to indiscipline in cricket is NOT one of them. The fact he and the SLC had a strong stand on the discipline is paying dividends now. So, shut your mouth.

    Jamis Sunday, 18 September 2022 01:11 AM

    Kiriella is another corrupt politician. He does not understand the concept of discipline. Crooks never do. Disciplining Kusal and others was very important. But Namal R should not try to take credit. The Asia cup win goes to the team and the support staff. So Namal should butt out. But Keriella should too. for crooked politicians, discipline means nothing. That is why the country is in this mess in the first place. Politicians should try to learn something from sports so that they can be more disciplined themselves.

    Niroshan Dedduniya Sunday, 18 September 2022 06:37 AM

    Does Namal have any other qualification than being born in to a family of thieves who has no decency? Do people still need to know what his upbringing and family is about? Ask Ranil, he knows best. Good luck

    N.K.L.S.R.Dias Sunday, 18 September 2022 07:02 AM

    I am fully agree with you. Corrupt politicians are always attempting to get others credit. In this case Kiriella also negating the credit of Namal, he is indirectly trying to get some credit claiming that he spoked for the betterment of cricket on those days. For the development of sports just as the talent, discipline is a must. After taking that disciplinary action, we observed that new players got opportunity to show their talents and all of them started to perform their part very responsibly.

    Naomi Rik Sunday, 18 September 2022 09:10 AM

    My dear Kiriella. You know nothing about cricket and any other sport. Namal Rajapaksa may have been involved in corruption and murders and may have made mistakes. But standing firm on the discipline of sportsmen is NOT one of them. Now Sri Lanka is reaping the benefits of zero tolerance on the indiscipline of cricketers. So keep your mouth shut.

    Jef Sunday, 18 September 2022 09:25 AM

    In cricketing world or sporting world archiments given to coach coaching team

    Travis Sunday, 18 September 2022 09:50 AM

    Now we have good team. It was a team United effort not a dam minister. You cant fool the people all the ti.e.

    EMILYJOACK Sunday, 18 September 2022 11:52 AM

    I will never.never,never vote for Namal Rajapaksa or any other Rajapaksa


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