Mathivanan, Ranatunga, Warnapura raise objections against candidature of incumbent officials

K. Mathivanan Nishantha Ranatunga and Bandula Warnapura at the media briefing.

Former officials K. Mathivanan and Nishantha Ranatunga and former Test cricketer Bandula Warnapura who are contesting for president, secretary and vice president posts respectively of Sri Lanka Cricket have raised objections against a majority of candidates fielded by the current administration for the elections to be held on May 20.

While stressing on their ‘strategic plan’ to take Sri Lanka Cricket to greater heights in world cricket, Nishantha Ranatunga said that they had filed objections against the nominations of many including incumbent president Shammi Silva.

The candidates they were objecting are Shammi Silva (Post of President), Mohan de Silva (Post of President and Secretary), Jayantha Dharmadasa (Post of President and Vice President), Ravin Wickramaratne (Vice President),  Bandula Dissanayake (Vice President, Secretary and Assistant Secretary), Nalin Aponso ( Vice President and Secretary), Krishantha Kapuwatta ( Assistant Secretary), Shammi Gunasekara ( Assistant Secretary), Sujeewa Godaliyadda ( Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer), Lasantha Wickramasinghe ( Treasurer) and Ananda Kumara ( Assistant Treasurer).

Ranatunga alleged that many contestants in the opposition were not eligible to hold relevant positions, in terms of the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973, the amendments made to the Act, the rules and regulations as well as the constitution of Sri Lanka Cricket. It has caused the standard of cricket to deteriorate.

“We expected them to give us a positive response to our objections in terms of all the accusations we have made against the current office-bearers, and for all the violations they have made for which we have got documentary evidence. However, we are very disappointed with the response of the Elections Committee,” said Ranatunga at the briefing held at Colts Cricket Club.

“It is justified, that in the present context a change needs to take place considering the dismal performances of the national team in all three formats of the game. It is so unfortunate that in addition to the recent performances at International Level, the domestic structure need to be re-considered to ensure greater stability. Therefore, we look forward to contesting the Election with a vision to develop cricket in the country.” 

The election of the office bearers of Sri Lanka Cricket for the term 2021-23 will be held on May 20  at the Duncan White Auditorium of the Ministry of Sports.