New umpires inducted to SLCUA

Priyan DE SILVA-Matara Sports Corespondent

The Sri Lanka Cricket Umpires Association (SLCUA) one of the foremost umpiring associations in Sri Lanka which was formed in 1975 inducted 63 new umpires at an awards night held at he Marine Grand Hotel, Wellawatta. Western Province Governor Al Haj Alavi Mowlana was the chief guest. Colombo Mayor M J M Muzzamill, Secretary Sri Lanka Cricket Nishantha Ranathunga and a many distinguished invitees were present.

Addressing the new umpires Secretary SLC Nishantha Ranathunga said that "an umpire should perform his duties without favouration, he may not be popular but he can sleep with a clear conscience. At present there are fractions among players, officials and umpires which is detrimental to the game. Two umpires associations joined together recently. You should join them and form one association which would enable all of you to uplift the standard of umpiring in Sri Lanka."

Eight senior umpires of the association E K G Wijewardena, D N Pathirana, J W K Botheju, L Kudahetti, Austin Fernando, T Massalage, T K Thanjudeen and Ranjan Anandappa were presented with plaques by Governor Al Haj Alavi Mowlana for their dediction to the game and the SLCUA.

Western Province Governor Al Haj Alavi Mowlana congratulated the secretary E K G Wijewardena, Assignment Secretary W K Botheju, D. N. Pathirana and Ashroff Gheny for a job well done. The president of the SLCUA,a former division I cricketer and a member of the PSC Ashroff Ghany said that the umpires should do their duties to the expectations of Sri Lanka Cricket.

Colombo Mayor M J M Muzamill, President SLCUA Ashroff Ghani and secretary SLCUA E K G Wijesinghe also spoke.