SLC to discuss Atapattu’s criticism
Chris DHAMBARAGE
Former captain Marvan Atapattu is in danger of being sent home
following his severe outburst against the Sri Lanka national selectors
during the first Test match against Australia which is now in progress
in Brisbane.
Sri Lanka Cricket Board officials are scheduled to meet today and
will discuss whether to take any disciplinary action against Atapattu
for his comments before the completion of the match and also whether he
will remain in Australia for the second Test in Hobart next week.
The Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket Interim Committee Kangadaran
Mathivanan said that they are awaiting a report from Sri Lanka Team
Manager Shriyan Samararatne and will decide what action should be taken
once Chairman Jayantha Dharmadasa returns from an overseas tour.
Meanwhile the Minister of Sports and Recreation Gamini Lokuge was
furious over Atapattu’s comments and called for stern disciplinary
action from the authorities. The Minister noted Atapattu had assured him
that he would not make any comments during the tour when they had a
meeting in Colombo earlier.
In fact Minister Gamini Lokuge played a vital role in getting back
Atapattu into the Sri Lanka team after he was overlooked for the tour
down under.
The national selectors headed by Ashantha de Mel then decided to
include Atapattu in the Sri Lanka team with the approval of the Sports
Minister.
Atapattu who top scored in Sri Lanka’s first innings with 51 after
spending nearly two years out of the Test team was earlier released from
his central contract with Sri Lanka Cricket following his interest with
the Indian Cricket League.
Meanwhile Sri Lanka’s chief selector Ashantha de Mel yesterday
declined to comment after his committee was severely criticised by
Marvan Atapattu during the ongoing opening Test in Australia.
De Mel said that he would like to ignore Atapattu’s comments and at
the moment all what he is interested is to see the Sri Lankan batsmen
save the Test match after they had been forced to follow on. |
