KDCA claims no role in organizing SL-Pakistan matches

But affirms support to SLC’s future programmes:

S M Jiffrey ABDEEN, Kandy Sports Correspondent

The President of the Kandy District Cricket Association Tilina Tennakoon reaffirmed the position of his association that they will not get involved in the organizing of the two limited over matches between Sri Lanka and Pakistan which are scheduled to be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on June 7 and 9.

He made these observations at an emergency meeting of the Kandy District Cricket Association held at Regional Cricket Office in Kandy last evening.

He was referring to a news item in a Sinhala news paper which said that the Kandy District CA will be involved in the match arrangements for these two matches. He never made such a statement.

Tilina Tennakoon said that the decision not to get involved in the match arrangement was taken at an Executive Committee Meeting held on May 30 and we stand by it as a matter of principle.

We have nothing against the Sri Lanka Cricket and we will support their future programmes. This decision was taken as a result of the injustice perpetrated on the KDCA by deviating from past practices by sidelining the District Association.

Senior Vice President Janaka Pathirana said that it is gratifying to note that all the Committee Members gave one abided by the decision of the Executive Committee. Stern action should be taken against this member who suggested this boycott.

Janaka Pathirana said that an injustice had been done and this must be remedied in the future in the larger interest of cricket. Our past services must be respected and recognized. This is no boycott or sabotage and nothing could be furthest from our minds than this.

We could assure the SLC of our continued support in the future but they must not side line us as it will be a loss of face for us in the eyes of the cricket fans. Committee Member V Sumanasekera said that they should wait the series is over before any action could be taken against the members who violated the collective decision of the Committee.