Michael Tissera to head new four-man selection committee

Sri Lankan Sports Minister Johnston Fernando appointed former Ceylon captain Michael Tissera as chairman of a fresh four-man selection committee on Thursday.

On Tuesday night Fernando was all set to announce the appointment of three new members to the committee after the resignations of former Test players Amal Silva, Kapila Wijegunawardene, and Brendon Kuruppu.

But, after the proposed panel was leaked to the media, the Minister decided to make further changes, including the replacement of Chairman Tikiri Banda Khelgamuwa and K.H. Nelson, the remaining two members from the previous five-man committee.

Fernando decided to appoint a smaller panel headed by Tissera, a former selector and vice-chairman of the Interim Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL), which was formally announced on Thursday.

The other three selectors Mahesh Goonatillake, Don Anurasiri and Roger Wijesuriya - have all played Test cricket, with Wijesuriya also being a junior level selector.

Fernando, speaking to the Daily Mirror, said: "There were two selectors willing to continue but it is not fair to allow them to serve in the selection committee following their controversial decision. So I decided to appoint a fresh committee until the end of April."

He added: "I hope the fresh members of the new committee, chaired by Michael Tissera will do a better job, selecting the right players. They should be watching cricket."

On Thursday morning they picked their first side, adding fast bowler Ruchira Perera to the squad for the final Test in Galle as cover for fellow left-armer Nuwan Zoysa.