Former Sri Lanka World Cup-winning cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga has been appointed as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Cricket Interim Committee by Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe yesterday. This decision, made under the No. 25 Sri Lanka Sports Act, grants authority to the Sri Lankan Sports Minister.
The committee, comprising seven members, includes former SLC President Upali Dharmadasa, legal experts like Attorney-at-Law Rakitha Rajapaksha (son of Sri Lanka’s Justice Minister), and retired Supreme Court Judges SI Imam and Rohini Marasinghe, along with Retired High Court Judge Iranganie Perera and former Sri Lanka rugby player Nizam Jamaldeen SSP.
The recent appointment signifies the dissolution of the current Cricket Board, led by SLC President Shammi Silva. This change comes after three days of consecutive protests held by cricket fans in front of the SLC office in Colombo.
Arjuna Ranatunga, the newly appointed Chairman, had previously served as the Interim Committee Chairman. He is known for his stringent and decisive approach as an administrator.
Ranatunga, shared his vision of transforming the cricketing landscape into a family-like entity rather than just a team, stating this after his appointment at the Sports Ministry premises in Race Course yesterday.
Cricket fans protesting outside SLC headquarters demanding legal action against SLC officials for their alleged misdeeds. Picture by Wasitha Patabendige
The former World Cup-winning captain, known for leading Sri Lanka to victory in 1996, emphasized the need for a unified approach, reminiscing the era when Aravinda de Silva stood out as an exceptional talent among the players.
Ranatunga stressed the necessity of forming a cohesive team, inclusive of coaches and the Cricket Board, responsible for the nation’s 22 million citizens.
Inviting past Sri Lankan cricketers to unite during this critical phase, Ranatunga aimed to rebuild cricket with a team deeply committed and passionate about their country. “I want to instill discipline and nurture players capable of reaching the pinnacle. It’s not about individuals; it’s about creating a strong team, much like in my playing days,” mentioned Ranatunga, who will be celebrating his 60th birthday on December 1.
Acknowledging the administrative hurdles, he highlighted the formation of a dedicated team to address concerns and emphasized the need to keep cricket fans content. “I’ve witnessed the disappointment among Sri Lankan cricket fans and their request for my service. It’s my responsibility to direct cricket into a new era “ said Ranatunga.
Regarding the issue of corruption, Ranatunga aligned with the country’s President’s vision of “zero tolerance to corruption” and stressed the importance of working in tandem with the Sports Minister for a cleaner system within Sri Lanka Cricket.
During the ongoing Sri Lanka ICC World Cup series, Ranatunga focused on the challenging goal of qualifying for the next year’s Champions’ Trophy, brushing aside concerns about potential ICC suspension. He cited the example of South Africa’s prolonged interim committee to downplay the fears of suspension.
Expressing a positive outlook, Ranatunga indicated that the numerous interim committees previously implemented were during the best-run periods in the country’s cricket administration. He aspired to bolster cricket, especially in schools and clubs.
With a focus on two key segments – cricket and administration – Ranatunga primarily intends to oversee the cricket side while collaborating with the committee experts for effective administration.
Simultaneously, the suspended SLC Board Members, led by President Shammi Silva, returned their vehicles and office keys to the Sri Lanka Cricket Board, indicating a shift in the administrative leadership of the cricket board.
SAJEEWA JAYAKODY