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I am one amongst the many cricket lovers who intensely followed the antics and tactics adopted by the two main candidates who were vying for the post of President of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka. The campaign carried out by these two candidates via the print and electronic media was very interesting and informative and at times even amusing.

Arjuna Ranatunga who was one of the candidates confined himself to accusing his main opponent of being corrupt and irresponsible. Ranatunga also kept on stating that he is very competent and eligible to be the Cricket Board President and if elected he would do everything within his powers to completely eradicate all the corruption and/or irregularities that is existing in the Board.

On the other hand his main opponent Thilanga Sumathipala's promise was the he would with the help of all and sundry make every effort to deliver the goods to the entire expectation and satisfaction of the cricket loving public of Sri Lanka. He did on occasions even invite Ranatunga to join hands to achieve this objective.

After the Annual General Meeting of the Board which was held on 6th June 2003 it became evident to everybody that the claims made by Ranatunga to become the President of the Board was false and malicious and as such he was totally rejected at the elections by the people who matter. Sadly, at this election he finished last having received just 7 votes compared to his other two opponents Thilanga Sumathipala (who got 121 votes) and Mohan De Silva (who got 10 votes).

At this juncture I would like to remind Ranatunga that the World Cup we won in 1996 was not due to his sole effort as captain; as he constantly claims it to be. He also has unfairly and unjustly ignored the great contribution made by Coach Dav Whatmore towards this victory with the sole object of taking the entire credit.

I would like to remind him that cricket is a team game and it was the consolidated effort of each and every member of the team that won us this World Cup. As such, I hope in future Ranatunga will refrain from taking the full credit and glory of this success. He should also remember in the World Cup that followed in 1999 of which team he was also the captain we fared most disgracefully not being able to qualify to the second round. He very conveniently and tactfully avoids mentioning this fact.

After the AGM of the Board on June 6 the newly elected President Sumathipala invited him to serve in some useful capacity in the Cricket Board and the offer was bluntly rejected. A couple of days ago I read in a newspaper that Ranatunga was again invited to serve in the all important Cricket Committee' of the Board along with some distinguished past and experienced cricketers.

The main duty of this committee was to guide the destination of Sri Lanka cricket. Namely to improve and sustain the standard of the playing abilities of the cricketers at local and international level. I was greatly disappointed and saddened when I read that once again Ranatunga had flatly refused to serve Sri Lanka cricket via this all important committee. It is about time Ranatunga realized that if he wants to honestly, sincerely and truly serve Sri Lanka cricket that the best thing he could do is to get into the system of the running of the Cricket Board and contribute his bit rather than stay out and talk a load of nonsense.

The other day a wag was heard saying that Ranatunga is refusing to serve in any capacity in the Board now because he and his cronies will not stand to gain any material benefits upto their expectations. By this action or decision of Ranatunga it is crystal clear that his bona fides to serve Sri Lanka cricket by only becoming its president is highly questionable.

Ranatunga who is new to politics will do well to remember that,

You may fool some people all the time

All the people some time

But not all the people all the time.

Chandana Ratnayake

www.crescat.com

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