Wettimuny voices concern over impact on players

Sidath Wettimuny, a former Sri Lankan cricketer and one of the interim committee members asked to resign by new sports minister Johnston Fernando, is concerned that the latest political u-turn in the cricket board could have an adverse impact on the cricketers.

Fernando had called for the resignations of all non-elected sports administrations on Saturday with a view to their subsequent reappointment for a specified period of time before fresh elections.

The present interim committee, whose resignation is effective Monday, was appointed in March 2001 after allegations of financial mismanagement by the previous administration headed by controversial businessman Thilanga Sumathipala.

Speaking to BBC Online, Wettimuny said: "It's a shame we have to go at this stage. We have set a lot of things in motion for the World Cup in early 2003 and it would have been nice to see them through.

"We have coaching plans for the squad - we have had Barry Richards here, Daryl Foster is coming in and we were hoping to approach Bruce Yardley - and were also working on plans for a new training centre with faster wickets."

With five days to go until the start of a three-Test series, Wettimuny is worried that the new instability may affect the cricketers: "That is our only fear. Michael Tissera and I have worked very closely with the players and spent a lot of time looking into their needs, but that's how it goes."

He admitted to being slightly perplexed by the decision: "We have sent in our resignations, but I honestly don't know the thinking behind this."

But Wettimuny and fellow interim members Vijaya Malalsekera (chairman), Michael Tissera (vice-chairman), Kushil Gunasekera (coordinating secretary), Ashatha de Mel (member) could still be reappointed on Monday, although some changes in personnel are widely expected.