BCCSL Assistant Secretary Resigns (12 Mar 1997)

12 March 1997

CB Assistant Secretary resigns

In a dramatic move, the assistant secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka, Ajith Abeygunawardena has resigned.

Abeygunawardena`s decision to quit the Cricket Board only 11 days after the annual general meeting, where he was elected to the post uncontested is not a good sign for the Cricket Board.

In a letter to the Cricket Board president Upali Dharmadasa, Abeygunawardena has stated among his reasons to resign was over the appointment of the District Development Committee officials and the appointment of an office-bearer to manage a minor district team`s cricket tour to India.

In an unprecedented move, the ExCo appointed both vice presidents Thilanga Sumathipala and Jayantha Paranathala as chairman and secretary respectively of the District Development Committee when it held its inaugural meeting on Friday.

The `Daily News` reliably learns that both officials were keen to serve in the committee, which deals directly with outstation clubs and district associations that rake in a large number of votes. The most damning aspect of the whole thing is, this committee is not even listed in the Cricket Board`s constitution.

As an unwritten policy over the years, no office-bearer serving in the Cricket Board ever undertakes to go on a tour.

The appointment of Nihal Leuke, the newly elected assistant treasurer of the Cricket Board to manage the Minor District cricket team to India, has also been a key factor in Abeygunawardena resigning.

The failure of several past cricketers to get into the various committees at the AGM meant the future of Sri Lanka cricket was in the majority in the hands of non-cricketers.

Abeygunawardena`s departure further worsens the situation, for he was one of the few who had played division One Sara trophy cricket for both CCC and SSC and, served in the various Cricket Board committees since 1982.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)