Sports

The need to treat legends with dignity

Published

5 years ago

2021/02/28

by Rex Clementine

The scathing remarks of Professor Charitha Herath during a COPE hearing pertaining to Sri Lanka Cricket exposed severe deficiencies in our cricket administration and the public could get a firsthand experience of how poorly the sport has been run as SLC took on former great Chaminda Vaas earlier this week.

Rather than sorting matters out behind closed doors, like it happens in professional environments, SLC opted to wash dirty linen in public and did not adhere to the best of corporate practices.

When the national cricket team’s Fast Bowling Coach David Saker left Colombo in January without informing his employers, SLC treated the Aussie with kid’s gloves. The board even didn’t mind going for an amicable settlement. Saker is a proven coach and SLC needs to be commended for the way they handled matters.

However, two weeks later, they were on the war path with another fast bowler – Chaminda Vaas. Was Vaas treated in that way because he is a local?

SLC paid Saker US$ 15,000 a month. They pay Vaas only US$ 3500. That is not correct. Vaas only asked for US$ 5000 more. But SLC made to look as if he was asking for the pound of flesh.

Interestingly, the decision that Vaas will replace Saker for the tour of West Indies was taken in the second week of February. But SLC had little communication with Vaas. Instead, they issued a media release announcing his appointment. But, the terms and conditions had not been discussed as it would happen in a professional environment.

Vaas was officially informed only on Friday, 72 hours before the team left for the Caribbean.

In previous instances when other coaches had to come in as replacements, SLC had compensated them handsomely. Nic Pothas is an example. When he replaced his former mentor Graeme Ford as Head Coach in 2017, the board paid him well. So why not Vaas? Again it’s back to square one. Is it because he was a local? Black lives do matter.

What Vaas wanted was a raise of his daily allowance from US$ 75 to US$ 200. What it meant was a raise of US$ 5000 for the entire tour of the Caribbean. But SLC chief Shammi Silva was not willing to negotiate. He would not budge an inch from his stance, which was go on the tour and come back and then we shall negotiate. Rather than taking the nation’s most successful fast bowler head on, Silva could have been better off had he handled matters diplomatically. But he did not. It has been claimed that he refused to meet Vaas. SLC has denied.

SLC officials claimed that they were willing to pay Vaas a sum of Rs. 750,000 on his return from the trip. Although it is slightly less than what Vaas had asked for, the former fast bowler would have been foolish to turn down that offer. Here’s the next interesting question. There have been several e-mail exchanges between Vaas and SLC. Did in any of those exchanges SLC mention that he will be paid the said Rs. 750,000?

There have been similar crises in cricket before. There are individuals within SLC who have handled matters completely differently.

Jayantha Dharmadasa was President of SLC when suddenly the selectors decided to fly in Sanath Jayasuriya as an additional player to England in 2006. The team and in particular Head Coach Tom Moody resisted. Dharmadasa intervened and drove home the point that having Jayasuriya in England early could turn out to be productive as he could acclimatize and be ready by the time the limited over games come. True to form Jayasuriya was in red hot form and slammed two hundreds in the ODIs and was named Player of the Series as Sri Lanka completed a 5-0 drubbing.

Mohan de Silva, another former President of SLC had to face a similar predicament after the tsunami in 2004 when players were adamant to return home but New Zealand Cricket wanted the series to go ahead. De Silva did not antagonize the players and in the meantime dealt diplomatically with hosts New Zealand and promised that the team will return the following year to complete the series. Accordingly in 2005, Sri Lanka made two trips to Kiwi land – in March to play Tests and in December to play ODIs. It was a win-win situation for all.

Such diplomacy was missing in the case of Vaas. The media release that SLC put out should have only said the board and Vaas had parted ways. Instead, it went to minute details. It should not have happened.

SLC seem to be having not many supporters these days. Their biggest supporter seems to be Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa, who took the side of the board addressing the Parliament. Namal needs to watch his steps here. As his Parliamentary colleague Professor Herath pointed out at the COPE hearing, the public does not have a good image of SLC.

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Sports

Sri Lanka World Cup games uninterrupted despite cyclone and flooding

Published

7 hours ago

2025/12/23

Sahan Weerasooriya

Pallekele Stadium in Kandy all set for World Cup fixtures.

Sri Lanka’s share of the T20 World Cup will go ahead without disruption despite a recent cyclone and severe flooding that left large parts of the country battered and bruised.

Tournament organisers confirmed that matches scheduled in the island nation will proceed as planned, with Sri Lanka co-hosting the sport’s showpiece event alongside India. Three venues in Sri Lanka will stage games during the competition.

Sri Lanka is set to host 20 of the 55 matches in the tournament. Should Pakistan advance deep into the competition, the island will also stage a semi-final and the final, as Pakistan are unable to travel to India due to long-standing political tensions between the neighbours.

On November 27, cyclonic storm Ditwah swept across Sri Lanka and several other South-East Asian countries, bringing daily life to a grinding halt. Flooding and landslides claimed at least 634 lives, with more than 200 deaths reported in the central city of Kandy.

A recent inspection of facilities in Kandy, however, allayed fears, with authorities giving the ground the all-clear after confirming that damage was minimal.

“We are happy with the progress we have made and it is going to be a superb event,” an official involved in inspecting the Pallekele Stadium told Telecom Asia Sport. “Sri Lanka has hosted ICC events before with great success and we have no doubt this tournament will be another feather in our cap. Kandy has been cleared, as have the other two venues.”

Work is also nearing completion at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club ground, where floodlights are being installed ahead of five scheduled matches. The capital’s R. Premadasa Stadium will host the bulk of the fixtures, including the blockbuster India–Pakistan clash on February 15.

“There has been huge demand for tickets for the India–Pakistan game,” the official said. “We expect a surge of tourists into Colombo around that fixture, which will provide a significant boost to the economy. Travel companies have already rolled out special packages and we anticipate full houses for several marquee games. India–Pakistan is the main attraction, no doubt, but matches like Sri Lanka versus Australia are also keenly awaited.”

Sri Lanka recently staged several Women’s World Cup matches, some of which were affected by rain. Organisers, however, are confident the weather will stay out of the contest this time, with February and March traditionally dry months in both Colombo and Kandy. (www.telecomasia.net)

Sports

Maliban biscuits partners Yevan David as Sri Lanka enters Formula 3 history

Published

7 hours ago

2025/12/23

Sahan Weerasooriya

Maliban Biscuits has announced a partnership with rising motorsport talent Yevan David, as he prepares to compete on the international stage in the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship.

At just 18, Yevan has emerged as one of Asia’s fastest-rising drivers, competing across some of Europe’s toughest circuits and creating history as the first Sri Lankan to race in the FIA Formula 3 Championship. This partnership brings together a young athlete redefining what’s possible for Sri Lanka in global motorsport and a homegrown brand that has consistently backed Sri Lankan ambition on the field, on the track, and beyond.

Yevan’s racing story began in go-karts, starting with early laps at the Sri Lanka Karting Circuit before moving into competitive karting in Singapore, where he quickly started stacking international results, including winning the IAME Asia Series (X30 Cadet) and the X30 Asia Cup. After graduating from karts, he stepped into single-seaters in 2024 across UAE F4, Spanish F4 and Eurocup-3, then announced himself in Europe by winning twice on his Euroformula Open debut weekend at Monza. In 2025, he underlined that momentum by taking the Euroformula Open Rookie title and finishing second overall, cementing his status as one of the most compelling young talents to emerge from Sri Lanka onto the global grid.

Commenting on the partnership, Yevan David said:

“Partnering with Maliban means a lot to me. They’ve supported Sri Lankan sport for generations, so having them beside me as I take this next step feels special. I’m proud to carry our flag forward with a brand that believes in our country’s potential as much as I do.”

Over the years, the brand has stood firmly behind Sri Lanka’s sporting journey across every level of competition, supporting the New Zealand U85kg Rugby Tour of Sri Lanka on the international stage, strengthening hockey at school level, backing the Sri Lanka U19 Women’s Cricket Team, supporting the U20 Men’s and Women’s rugby teams, championing Sri Lanka Rugby at the Asia Rugby Qualifiers and powering the Inter Club Rugby League and Clifford Cup Knockout Championship 2025/2026. This continued investment reflects a long-term commitment to building opportunity, confidence, and national pride through sport.

With Maliban’s support, Yevan’s journey to the FIA Formula 3 grid becomes more than an individual milestone, it becomes a national statement of belief and progress. Together, Maliban and Yevan will carry Sri Lanka’s flag into every corner, every lap, and every finish line he chases in 2026.

Sports

Lumbini collapse after strong start

Published

7 hours ago

2025/12/23

Sahan Weerasooriya

Lumbini were strongly placed after Nikil Abilash and Kisandu Dulneth put on a first wicket stand of 128 runs in reply to Isipatana’s 190, but a sudden collapse saw them end day one at 144 for five wickets in the Under 19 traditional encounter at Colts ground.

‎At Campbell Park, spinner Chaniru Senarathne produced figures 22-3-55-5 for Trinity in the traditional encounter against Wesley.

‎In an Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ cricket enountet at Bambalapitiya Savi Fernando and Asadisa de Silva put on an unbeaten 90 runs stand for the second wicket to help St. Peter’s reach 93 for one wicket at stumps in reply to DS Senanayake’s 241 on day one.

‎Asadisa was unbeaten on 53 after having faced 98 balls for his knock which included five fours and a six.

Match Scores

‎‎DSS 241, St. Peter’s 93/1 at Bambalapitiya

‎Scores

‎DSS

241 all out in 58.5 overs (Bihan Gamage 40, Shevan Welgama 66, Randisha Bandaranaike 29, Chithum Baddage 27; Sadeesha Silva 2/62, Janith Panditharathna 3/77)

‎St. Peter’s

93 for 1 in 33 overs (Savi Fernando 32n.o., Asadisa de Silva 53n.o.)

‎

‎Wesley 200/9 decl., Trinity 40/1 at Campbell Park

‎‎Scores

‎Wesley 200 for 9 decl. in 78 overs (Rasheed Nahyan 43, Rashmika Amararathne 36, Methnula Mayadunna 37n.o.; Chaniru Senarathne 5/55)

‎Trinity

40 for 1 in 15 overs

‎

‎Isipatana 190, Lumbini 144/5 at Colts

‎‎Scores

‎Isipatana 190 all out in 57 overs (Navidu Umeth 33, Yuveen Keshan 48, Janith Selaka 54; Yashod Kavindu 4/57, Dinal Sewmina 2/10)