Jayantha heads cricket interim committee

CRICKET: Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge yesterday appointed a new seven-member interim committee to handle the administration of Sri Lanka Cricket.

As expected, there were no major changes in the reshuffle with the top three retaining their posts. Chairman of the SLC Interium Committee Jayantha Dharmadasa has been given a third-year extension while Secretary K. Mathivanan and Treasurer Sujeeva Rajapakse retained their places.

As stated in these columns yesterday, Damian Fernando and Prakash Schaffter tendered their resignations after they were asked to do so by Minister Lokuge. Accordingly, former Sri Lanka Test opener Sidat Wettimuny and Sri Lanka boxing chief Dian Gomes were named as replacements.

However, the Sports Minister has extended the strength of the SLC Interim Committee up to seven members, bringing in veteran cricket commentator and ex-Nalanda player Premasara Epasinghe and little-known Lalith Wickremasinghe.

The latter is reported to be a representative of the Minister and is expected to play a similar role to that of Damian Fernando, who is the brother-in-law of then Sports Minister Jeewan Kumaranatunga.

The new SLC Interim Committee: Jayantha Dharmadasa (Chairman), K. Mathivanan (Secretary), Sujeewa Rajapakse (Treasurer), Sidat Wettimuny, Dian Gomes, Premasara Epasinghe and Lalith Wickremasinghe.