Pitched battle in offing in BCCSL elections

As Sri Lanka's cricketers prepare for the start of their tough series against a resurgent West Indies team, an equally fierce contest is raging back home as aspiring administrators battle for control of Sri Lanka's cricket board (BCCSL).

Sri Lanka will hold its first BCCSL elections for three years on Friday, ending a 26-month spell of control by government appointed interim committees following the decision to dissolve the last elected board in March 2001.

Johnston Fernando, the sports minister, announced the elections last month following widespread media criticism of the current interim administration and demands from member clubs and associations for a return to democratic rule.

Thilanga Sumathipala, a leading businessman and a cricket administrator with personal ambitions of heading the International Cricket Council, is expected to compete a landslide victory in the battle for the BCCSL presidency.

Sumathipala's main contender for the coveted post is former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga, now a member of parliament. Ranatunga has waged an aggressive campaign, pledging to wipe out corruption in the administration.

Ranatunga's typically outspoken approach has lead to Sumathipala threatening a USD$5 million lawsuit for defamation. Sumathipala has accused him of mud-slinging. Both claim to be ready to fight for their reputations in the courts.

Although Ranatunga enjoys popular support, few member clubs and associations, who are the ones that will vote in the open ballot, have pledged their support. Even his own club, the Sinhalese Sports Club, has decided to support Sumathipala.

Sumathipala is no stranger to cricket administration, and is campaigning for his third term as BCCSL president. Both terms were cut short by the government following legal wrangles after a particularly ugly election in 1999 and for allegedly violating the Sports Law in 2001. He has also served as vice-president.

Sumathipala's National Development Plan, a cohesive and ambitious blueprint for cricket development, has ensured overwhelming support amongst the clubs, who have become increasingly frustrated by the lack of long-term thinking in the last two years.

Previous elections have been marred by violence, intimidation and allegations of vote buying, prompting the government to beef up security this time around. The director general for sports, Milton Amarasinghe, is responsible for conducting the election. Amarasinghe has confirmed that 20 police officials will be on hand to ensure security.

The first job of the incoming president will be to secure a suitable permanent replacement for coach Dav Whatmore, as well as a physiotherapist and fitness trainer. Sumathipala has promised a foreign coach within 30 days but no candidates have so far come forward.

The financial state of the cricket board is also a serious concern. Last week the BCCSL announced a 93 million rupee (USD$940,000) loss in 2002, due primarily to the lack of inbound tours but also because of increased player salaries.

But those factors pale into insignificance following a recent Singapore tribunal decision that the BCCSL is liable to pay damages to WSG Nimbus after the premature cancellation of a multi-million dollar television deal in 2001.

Aside from the legal costs and a monetary claim already awarded, which amounts to nearly USD$1 million, WSG could press for potentially crippling damages. The new president will have to negotiate a settlement that protects Sri Lanka's financial future.