Thilanga Sumathipala dismisses objections to his nomination for forthcoming the BCCSL elections

Thilanga Sumithapala, who is campaigning for the Presidency of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL), unveiled a "National Development Plan" to make Sri Lanka the best cricket playing nation in the world at a media briefing last night.

In a confident and defiant mood, despite still being unsure as to whether the Sports Ministry will allow him to stand in the election on 11th June, Thilanga outlined the ambitious development plan before dismissing objections to his nomination.

In recent weeks objections have been sent to the Sports Ministry requesting that he be barred from contesting the election. In a letter dated 15th May 2000, Mr C.S. Ratwatta (who is not contesting this election this year but lost to Thilanga Sumithapala in last years-annulled election), objected to Sumithapala's nomination on three counts:

1) That his nomination breached the recent ICC Resolution on match fixing and persons associated with the betting industry. 2) That he was barred from standing due to Section 31(b) of the Constitution of the BCCSL, which prevents office bearers from owning newspapers 3) That an Interim Injunction on 10/6/1999 by the District Court of Colombo prevented him from standing.

Thilanga Sumithapala noted that neither of the objections were relevant and disclosed that he had provided Milton Amarasinghe, the Director of the Department of Sports Development, with written responses to all three objections.

On undoubtedly the most serious objection, the recent ICC Resolution, he denied outright being a bookmaker. Whilst acknowledging that his family was involved in the gaming industry he stated that he personally had no involvement in the gaming industry.

He also pointed out that the ICC resolution of the Executive Board of the ICC had yet to be ratified and that modifications were to be expected due to the concerns of other member countries, particularly those of Patrick Rousseau, the President of the West Indies Cricket Board.

In a letter sent to Dave Richards, the Chief Executive of the ICC, on 8th May 2000, Rousseau stated: "The wording of the last resolution on the gambling and betting industry gives me some concern. In its present form it is too wide. I think the words "in any form" may include someone like myself who bets on horses."

Later he goes on to say: "I thought we were seeking to stamp out the influence of the illegal bookmaker," before concluding that, "if my assumption is correct, then we should define the gambling connection in a way that excludes persons who are connected with an illegal or unlicenced bookmaker."

Addressing the final two objections Sumithapala denied being an employee and/or Director of any newspaper and thus dismissed the objection as `irrelevant' before claiming that the Interim Injunction, which was issued after last years anulled elections, related only to the election held for the year 1999/2000.

The majority of the conference, or the "media mix" as it was quaintly described, focused on his development plans for the future of Sri Lanka and his desire to make Sri Lanka the best team in the world.

Breaking down the plan into five major areas - International, Domestic, Infrastructure, Finance and Development - Sumithapala discussed his desire to pursue the concept of a world test championship, upgrade Sri Lanka's international cricket venues with a new stadium in Dambulla and another ground with floodlights, plans to raise BCCSL revenues, increase BCCSL investment into Sri Lankan cricket grounds and the rural areas in particular, and to start a full-time cricket academy for 15-17 year olds and 19-23 year olds.

Thilanga will find out on 6th June whether he will be allowed to stand in the election. If he is then he is considered to be the favorite with Jayantha Dharmadasa, brother of former President Upali Dharmadasa, his only serious contender.