Dharmadasa elected SLC president

Anuradha ABEYSEKERA

Former Interim Committee chairman Upali Dharmadasa was elected uncontested as the new Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) president for 2012 after independent contestant Sumith Perera withdrew his application for the post at the election held at the National Institute of Sports Science yesterday.

Upali Dharmadasa

The election turned into a one horse race as Thilanga Sumathipala's alliance, which constituted the opposition, did not contest any major posts. Nishantha Ranatunga was elected secretary, uncontested, while K. Mathivan and Asanga Seneviratne got the two vice president posts. Nuski Mohamed was unanimously elected treasurer.

Ajita Pasqual got 118 votes for the only contested title, assistant treasurer, while the other candidate Nihal Lewke got only three votes. Hirantha Perera will be the assistant secretary for 2012. There were 54 nominations for major posts.

Altogether 147 votes from 85 Sports Clubs, District associations and affiliated bodies were entitled to vote with 135 casting their votes. Members were also appointed for four sub committees, namely, Tournament Committee, Umpire Committee, Tour Organizing Committee and Sponsorship Committee.

The new president assured that he will work together with the new officials for the betterment of the sport. He said that they'll have to work hard to end the crisis in the SLC.

Speaking on behalf of Sumathipala's candidature, former SLC chairman Mohan de Silva expressed dissatisfaction about the election procedure, blaming the Sports Development Department but said that they will also support the new officials to develop cricket.