Downfall of SL cricket due to politicisation: Arjuna

14 December 2011 04:38 pm - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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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)

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Comments - 12

Ajith Fonseka Wednesday, 14 December 2011 10:41 PM

I live in Australia but I follow Sri Lanka cricket very closely, and for the last few months (England, Australia, Pakistan series) I was very much confident, watching how the Team was performing, that there was something more than the way they palyed. Long before these comments by Arjuna and Sanath I was confident that there was political interference in the team, otherwise how can a Team being runners up in the world cup perform so badly over three series consecutively? Even the daparture of Kumar from captaincy, I am sure due to serious political issue. For gods can politicians leave the cricket alone and do politics, just for the fans of Sri Lanka Team.

suduputha Wednesday, 14 December 2011 11:21 PM

Well said captain cool. You hit the nail on the head.

Ranjani Gunewarde Thursday, 15 December 2011 01:41 AM

Well said Arjuna. Now sanath is off his head. Sorry state of mind. What to do.

Neil Horadagoda Thursday, 15 December 2011 02:23 AM

Well said Arjuna.

blazin Thursday, 15 December 2011 03:08 AM

Very true ...

James Thursday, 15 December 2011 03:25 AM

You are a great leader Mr. Arjuna. The reality is such that no one comes forward to take action against this. We know that you can do it because you are not afraid of any political threat. Please do something rather than speaking . We believe in you. Please Mr. Arjuna please save our country. Please I beg you. May God Bless our cricket team. Let them go forward without this interference of our political idiots. Shame on you politicians, try to earn money not to be greedy for money. You can do it only for a short time. but when the time comes you have to leave everything go to hell. Think about this..............

willows Thursday, 15 December 2011 05:21 AM

well said Capt. cool

lal Thursday, 15 December 2011 06:54 AM

Well said but any solution will take place.The end will be we will go back to 1970s.

Coconut Donkey Thursday, 15 December 2011 06:52 AM

What has happened to our Sana Boy. power does corrupt after all...no one seems to be immune to it. no one.

DAYAN Thursday, 15 December 2011 06:59 AM

Too much involvement VVIP has turned this game into Sorry state..............Just implement the COPE recommendations...........without these politically connected businessmen

Lanka Thursday, 15 December 2011 10:26 AM

What happened to those new stadiums.... are they been used... Utter waste of money.

Hiraz Thursday, 15 December 2011 11:32 AM

Now we don't feel to watch a match why because we don't no whether it's a true or faulty one due to match fixing..

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Downfall of SL cricket due to politicisation: Arjuna

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