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by Dinesh Weerawansa

Former Sri Lanka captain Aravinda de Silva and Chairman of the People's Bank, Lal Nanayakkara will contest the posts of Vice President and Treasurer respectively at the forthcoming Cricket Board elections scheduled for June 6.

De Silva and Nanayakkara will be contesting with former BCCSL President Thilanga Sumathipala group. Meanwhile, Sumathipala yesterday gave his consent to Director General of Sports, Milton Amarasinghe to contest for the BCCSL presidency for a record third term. Sumathipala's letter of consent came after more than 50 of the 87 member/ controlling clubs of the BCCSL membership nominated and seconded the name of Sri Lanka Telecom chief for the top seat.

Finance and cricket have been two key areas in the BCCSL structure and two men with great knowledge in their fields will be contesting the two important posts.

Chairman of the People's Bank, Lal Nanayakkara said he came forward due to a request made by Sumathipala. "He is a man who has done a great service to cricket and when a person of that calibre requested me to join hands for the betterment of cricket, I could not resist," said Nanayakkara in an exclusive interview with the 'Daily News'. "I will contest for the post of treasurer. I want to help Sumathipala with matters relating to finance," he added.

A highly qualified chartered accountant and banker by profession with tremendous experience, Nanayakkara said his ambition is to do a honest job and handle the BCCSL finances.

Asked for his plans if elected Treasurer, the People's Bank boss said he will form a strong Finance Committee to handle the affairs. "It will consist of top professionals in the business. I hope to get the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Asitha Thalwatte and two other experts in finance trade - Reyaz Mihular and Ajith Devasurendra," he added. Sri Lanka's leading run-getter in both Tests and One Day Internationals, Aravinda de Silva will be one of the two Vice Presidents contesting under Sumathipala camp with the other being ex-Vice President and Chairman of Ceylon Shipping Corporation, A. J. M. Muzzamil.

Having retired from international cricket after an exemplary career until the last World Cup, De Silva took new role as a national selector. At a time even the BCCSL Interim Committee did not recommend De Silva as a selector, it was Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Johnston Fernando who brought De Silva as a selector.

"I thought I must give something back to the game in the administrative side as well when my knowledge and association with the game is fresh. But I don't want to hang on there for too long. Do my job when I am fresh and give something for the game," he said.

De Silva said as a Vice President, he intends to concentrate on cricket. "That's the area I know. I want to concentrate on the first class cricket structure here. Of course the long standing inter-club structure will remain with more competition but there is a need for a higher competition level to bridge the gap between club cricket and international level," he explained.

De Silva said it's unreasonable to give one or two trial games with a touring team and pick a batsman or a bowler who performs well on a particular day. "It's better give a full tour probably to a country like Australia or South Africa and test those young cricketers during a period of time. That's how we emerged. For instance during the 1983 youth tour to Australia, Asanka (Gurusinha), Roshan (Mahanama), Marlon (Vonhagt) and I fared well and we went on to play for the national team," he explained. Asked whether his new role as a selector will clash with the administrative role he is intending to have, De Silva answered in the negative.

"There should be a link between the administrators and selectors. Cricketers' needs and selectors' thinking should be communicated to the BCCSL Management. I could see that from a cricketer's point of view," he added.

Among the others who are tipped to contest from the Sumathipala-led group are Mohan de Silva (Secretary) and Trevor Rajaratnam (Asst. Secretary).

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