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By Dinesh Weerawansa

Thilanga Sumathipala casting his vote

Chairman of Sri Lanka Telecom, Thilanga Sumathipala had a landslide victory to become President for a record third time at the much-looked forward to Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) elections held at the National Sports Institute, Torrington Square, Colombo yesterday.

It was a comprehensive victory by Sumathipala, who silenced his critics as he won confidence of both urban and rural member clubs and associations to secure 121 of the 138 votes cased. - more than 87%. In one of the major set backs in his career, former Sri Lanka captain turned PA Parliamentarian Arjuna Ranatunga obtained just seven votes in finishing third, even behind Mohan de Silva, who polled 10 votes.

In a strategic move, Sumathipala camp did not withdraw their stand-by candidate Mohan de Silva from the race for the BCCSL presidency. Ranatunga, who was expected to be Sumathipala's main rival at the elections, was even humbled as he finished third, three votes behind De Silva. Considering the votes polled by Sumathipala and De Silva, the Sumathipala group had a clear 95% mandate from the BCCSL membership, who finally had their democratic right for an elected executive committee after three years.

It was the third time that Sumathipala was elected to the top seat of country's richest sports governing body, with the last occasion being exactly three years back in June, 2000. Ever since, Sri Lanka cricket has been administered by interim councils, which were widely criticised by the BCCSL membership, which consists of 87 clubs, associations, controlling bodies and district associations, which had a total of 147 votes. However, Anauradhapura DCA and Xaviarites CC, Marawilla were not eligible to vote at yesterday's BCCSL AGM and election of office bearers, conducted under the authority of Director General of Sports, Milton Amarasinghe.

Among the most notable at the elections were Tamil Union's decision to abstain from voting and Ranatunga's long standing club SSC's decision to vote for Sumathipala. The former Asian Cricket Council chief had the backing of different range of clubs and associations from Colombo to outstations, including North East, Sri Lanka Schools and Mercantile sector.

Arjuna Ranatunga casting his vote

While Ranatunga made a sad exit without any real contest, his long-standing former vice captain in the Sri Lanka team, Aravinda de Silva had it easy. He was elected Vice President of the BCCSL uncontested, along with A.J.M. Muzammil, who held the same post when Sumathipala administration was sacked by then Sports Minister Lakshman Kiriella in 2000. All other key posts of the BCCSL executive committee were uncontested as Sumathipala completed one of the biggest victories in Sri Lanka sports history.

Mohan de Silva was elected new Secretary of the BCCSL, the post he held three years back under previous Sumathipala administration. Chairman of the Peoples Bank Lal Nanayakkara was elected Treasurer, uncontested.

Trevor Rajaratnam (Asst. Secretary) and Lucien Merinage (Asst. Treasurer) too were uncontested.

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