New SLC Interim Com. keen on appointing security expert

Chris DHAMBARAGE

The need of a top security expert to the Sri Lanka cricket team was among the main priorities when the newly appointed Seven Member Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Interim Committee took office at their Headquarters in Maitland Place yesterday.

Chairman of the SLC Interim Committee and Presidential Advisor D. Somachandra de Silva revealed that they will soon appoint a security consultant following the terror attack that took place in Lahore on March 3 during the second Test against Pakistan.

The former Sri Lanka leg spinner stressed the importance of the safety of the cricketers and vowed to look into the welfare and the facilities of the players who were affected from the Lahore terror attack.

He stated that future overseas tours will be finalized based on the security report provided by the Team Manager and the independent security consultant.

De Silva said that following a discussion with the team captain and vice captain they decided to recruit a security expert who will travel with the Team Manager ahead of the tour and visit the venues and the hotels before making a final decision.

“We will undertake the responsibility of sending an independent person to assess the security situation in the country the players are scheduled to play in and depending on the report a final decision will be taken”.

De Silva who captained the country in two Test matches noted that they would also review the security situation in India before their players compete in the second session of the high profile Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

A total of fourteen Sri Lankan players are set to make their presence felt in the IPL which will be worked off from April 10 to May 24. The players are Sanath Jayasuriya, Dilhara Fernando, Lasith Malinga, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Farveez Maharoof, Angelo Mathews, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Thushara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa and Chamara Silva.

De Silva said that they will be discussing all these matters and will be talking to the cricketers to obtain their views on the security situation in India.

The fate of this Twenty20 tournament is hanging on balance as the Indian government has refused to provide security during the election period with which dates of the IPL matches are clashing.

De Silva stressed the fact that they will need to look at the security aspect as the cricketers are under contract and are associated with the Sri Lanka Cricket and is their duty to protect and assist them.

The new Interim Committee Chairman also revealed that in future they will not appoint an overseas person as the assistant coach of the national team and instead that job will be provided to an experienced domestic Tier ‘A’ coach with proven abilities.

He also stated that their prime intention is to provide the maximum exposure to the top local coaches who will be given the opportunity of proving themselves at the highest level.

In another major development De Silva said that the Hambantonta International Stadium will be completed in time to host the semi final match of the 2011 ICC World Cup through the courtesy of Namal Rajapaksa who is the head of the ‘Thaarunyata Hetak Foundation’.

Meanwhile in a press release Sri Lanka Cricket has apologized to all the Media for the unfortunate incident that took place at yesterdayâ’s Media Briefing at SLC Headquarters which was held to introduce the newly appointed Interim Committee members of Sri Lanka Cricket.

The media release states that Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to condemn the unethical behaviour of B. H. Perera Administration Manager during the Media Briefing and wish to state that appropriate steps have been taken in this regard for the best interest of Sri Lanka Cricket to maintain discipline at all levels.