Interim Committee resigns after request from Sports Minister

The Interim Committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) resigned on Saturday after a request from the new sports minister Johnston Fernando.

The sports ministry called for the resignation of all Interim Committees currently in operation, including athletics, volleyball and gymnastics, by Monday. This would be followed by the appointment of a new Interim Committee or the reappointment of the existing one, with possible changes, for a specified period of time before fresh elections.

The Interim Committee, headed by chairman Vijaya Malalsekera, was appointed eight months ago by the then sports minister Lakshman Kiriella to run the affairs of the cricket board after allegations of corruption levied against the elected executive board, headed by Thilanga Sumathipala, which was dissolved.

Kiriella had planned for the Interim Committee, which developed a committee system of management, separating cricketing and financial issues, to run until the 2003 world cup. Even when Kiriella was replaced by Mangala Samaraweera after a cabinet reshuffle, the Interim Committee position looked secure after the smooth management of the board's affairs.

But a change of government last week and the appointment of Fernando as the new sports minister had precipitated speculation that fresh cricket board elections were imminent when he called for democratic principles to be adhered to in all sporting institutions.

However, there is still uncertainty as to the time frame given for new elections. The minister's decision may have been precipitated by recent controversy in the Amateur Athletics Association of Sri Lanka (AAA). He could still decide that the cricket board's Interim Committee should stay until the 2003 world cup.

But the position of Malalsekera as chairman, a former first class cricketer and Cambridge Blue, is in doubt. He was commonly known to have been close to president Chandrika Kumaratunga, creating uneasiness within the new United National Front (UNF) government and pressure for his removal.

Thilanga Sumathipala, alleged to have acted as a key political broker during the parliamentary crossover of PA politicians into the opposition in October and the subsequent defeat of the ruling party on 5 December general elections, is already considered the favourite to become the next president should elections be called.

Sumathipala has held office on two separate occasions: in 1998/1999 after a controversial election marred by thuggery and in 2000/2001. On both occasions his period in office was cut short by either the suspension or dissolution of his administration by the sports minister.

Other possible contenders for the presidency include Clifford Ratwatte, a long time foe of Sumathipala, Jayantha Dharmadasa, brother of Upali who Sumathipala deposed as president in 1998 but is now supportive of the same political party, and even former captain Arjuna Ranatunga, who recently became a member of parliament.