SLC media manager given the sack

Samantha Algama, Sri Lanka's popular and proficient media manager, has been given the sack by Sri Lanka Cricket's interim committee which is headed by former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga. Duleep Mendis, the board's chief executive, confirmed that Algama had been asked to quit his honorary role with effect from April 30.

Algama, it seems, has paid the price for being too media-friendly. The accusation leveled against Algama was that he had not defended the interim committee when their activities had been criticised in the media. His departure comes two days before the start of the 4th Women's Asia Cup which is being hosted by Sri Lanka, and that is followed by an important tour by India to Sri Lanka in July-August.

Algama who has held the position for the past three years is the second longest serving media manager in international cricket after England's Andrew Walpole. This latest move by the interim committee follows a series of wholesale changes that have been implemented by the Ranatunga administration. They have replaced Dharmadasa loyalists from all other subcommittees since taking over at the beginning of the year.

Mendis said a new media manager would be appointed shortly.