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by Dinesh Weerawansa

Director General of Sports, Milton Amarasinghe yesterday turned down an objection filed by Arjuna Ranatunga, Presidential candidate and former Sri Lanka Test captain, Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BSSCL) against Mohan de Silva, who has forwarded his nomination to the posts of President and Secretary.

De Silva was the sole candidate nominated for the post of Secretary at the forthcoming AGM and elections scheduled for Friday. Ranatunga, in a protest against the candidature of De Silva stated that De Silva cannot contest for the post of President as he is already elected Secretary uncontested. However, in his verdict on the issue, Amarasinghe, who acts as the competent authority for the Sports Ministry conducted elections, said only the BCCSL membership could decide on the matter and that the DG of Sports can not prevent the right of the BCCSL members who have nominated De Silva.

Explaining on his decision to reject Ranatunga's objections, the Director General of Sports said that it is the BCCSL membership that has nominated De Silva and that he is not empowered to prevent the supreme right of the BCCSL membership. "It is a matter to be determined by the membership. De Silva has the right to contest as far as he is eligible and the members have nominated and seconded his name," Amarasinghe said. The DG of Sports said his duty is to look into the eligibility of the candidates on the BCCSL Constitution and Sports Law and the other matters should entirely be resolved by the membership of the BCCSL.

Asked on the technicality of President being elected before the Secretary at the AGM, Amarasinghe said De Silva could contest for the Presidency as he is not yet elected as Secretary, though his name is the sole nominee. "Suppose if the BCCSL membership votes for Mohan de Silva and elect him as President by a majority vote, then he could withdraw from the post of Secretary, technically. There are the matters of the BCCSL membership. I have no authority to take decisions on the membership. My duty is to ensure that the candidates have the basic qualifications according to the BCCSL constitution and conduct the elections for the Sports Ministry and transfer the administration of the BCCSL from the present interim committee to the newly elected executive committee," Amarasinghe said.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Sports has suspended voting rights of Anaradhapura District Cricket Association and Xaviarites Cricket Club, Marawila on technical grounds. There is an investigation on the way the AGM of the Anuradhapura DCA was conducted. Xaviarites CC too has a court case pending under its name. University of Kelaniya has not yet submitted the names of their representatives or nominees for the AGM told Amarasinghe.

In the latest developments in the lead up to the much-looked forward to BCCSL elections, three more leading Clubs and Associations have given mandates in favour of voting for two-time BCCSL President Thilanga Sumathipala. His chances of becoming the Sri Lanka cricket chief for a record third time look even brighter with over 60 out of the 87 clubs, associations and affiliated bodies already deciding to vote in his favour.

Mercantile Cricket Association and his home club CCC have decided to support Sumathipala. In another shocking move, Colts, where Ranatunga's younger brother Nishantha is a vice President, too have given their mandate in favour of the Sri Lanka Telecom Chairman. Despite not being able to secure the votes of his home club SSC after losing a crucial mandate 3-12, Ranatunga has managed to win the confidence of Bloomfield, which has decided to vote for celebrated cricketer turned politician who led Sri Lanka to win the World Cup in 1996.

Meanwhile, over 27 members Clubs and Associations of the BCCSL yesterday wrote to Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Johnston Fernando requesting not to postpone the forthcoming Cricket Board elections and AGM. Whilst thanking Minister Fernando for keeping the promise and calling for elections to respect the aspirations of the member Clubs and Associations, the 27 clubs have appealed not to allow anyone to put off the elections. They have alleged that some interested parties and a few individuals, who can not come to office by democratic means, are planning to get Friday's elections postponed by various acts.

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