Sports

Mahanama’s book reveals Ranil backed Thilanga undermining Amarasuriya

Published

4 years ago

2021/12/26

by Rex Clementine

Among those who follow the gentleman’s game closely, many regard UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as Mr. Clean. But if they get hold of Roshan Mahnama’s new book, they will have a second opinion. Mahanama in his autobiography ‘My Innings’ goes onto claim that Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister in 2002 stopped then cricket chief Hemaka Amarasuriya from attending an ICC Meeting and instead nominated Thilanga Sumathipala.

“We were appointed to mange Sri Lanka Cricket due to a prevalent issue at the time, till fresh elections appointed a new committee. However, this was a very brief stint as the level of politics involved was contrary to my work ethic and principles. As an example, the Interim Committee decided that the Chairman Hemaka Amarasuriya should attend the ICC annual meeting. However, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe overruled and said that Thilanga Sumathipala who was not even part of the committee at the time, would attend instead,” writes Mahanama.

To give a bit of background, Sumathipala had been ousted a year prior to that as cricket chief by President Chandrika Kumaratunga and he would avenge his ouster by triggering multiple crossovers that crashed CBK’s Peoples’ Alliance government and Wickremesinghe’s UNP came into power. Sumathipala and the UNP had a deal and Wickremesinghe paved the way for Sumathipala to make a comeback at Maitland Place.

This is Mahanama’s second book on cricket and it was launched just before the festive season. Like the first one, it is selling like hot cakes. The book has some interesting anecdotes, mostly Mahanama’s observations during his long stint as a Match Referee with the ICC.

Often, cricket fans have wondered why Brian Lara batted wearing sunglasses during certain stages of his career. With fast bowlers operating at 140kmph it’s not the most sensible thing to do, that too in fading light. But Lara had his own ways. Mahanama’s book gives you a clue to his eccentrics.

“Memories go back to my first Test match in St. Lucia. I was walking out to the middle with the West Indies captain Brian Lara. I noticed that he was wearing dark sunglasses despite it being overcast and the possibility of rain and I made a casual comment with regards to it. Brian replied in typical Caribbean style, ‘Rosh, I came back at 5 am, and I need to hide my eyes from the camera.’ Such was the culture in the Caribbean and the brilliance of the individual he flayed the bowling to all parts and scored a hundred in quick time as well.”

Mahanama goes onto explain in the book some of the challenges that he faced in the early days as an ICC Match Referee.

“During my early days, I vividly recall some umpires intentionally used to call me ‘Ranjan’ repeatedly. I perceived this to be done as a side jab or indication that they believed that I had received my appointment due to Ranjan Madugalle, as it was only Sri Lanka who had two members on the Elite Panel of seven referees. I handled the issue patiently and professionally. Once I became more confident in my role, I used to at times reply in jest that, ‘you can only take a horse to the water, but you can not make it drink.’

Mahanama’s book also deals with some of the issues facing Sri Lankan cricket and most cricket enthusiasts tend to agree with his sentiments.

“Since the 1996 World Cup, for over two decades most of the administrators at the top have remained unchanged. They transfer from one position to the next and make changes with individuals such as coaches and selectors who are involved with cricket operations. However, it is ensured that they themselves or individuals associated to their ideology remain in key positions. A profound change is now required,” he notes.

“The constitution of SLC and the Sports Law of the country needs to be changed drastically. The present system where appointments are made through an election of club representatives numbering over a hundred small clubs, some of which are unheard of, leaves significant room for mismanagement by certain individuals. Such votes are easily bought over, which leads to the monopoly created by the same individuals who keep getting themselves re-elected. Hence, a complete revamp is needed,” he goes onto point out.

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Sports

Sri Lanka Cricket launched a program to enhance coaching standards of school cricket

Published

4 hours ago

2026/05/28

Sahan Weerasooriya

Gary Kirsten

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), under the direction of the Cricket Transformation Committee launched a special program aimed at educating and developing school cricket coaches in the country.

The inaugural session of the program was held on Monday, 25th May, at the High Performance Center of the SLC with the participation of 74 coaches representing Division ‘1’ and ‘2’ schools.

The Head Coach of the Sri Lanka Men’s Team Gary Kirsten conducted a two-hour session for the participating coaches. During the session, Kirsten shared valuable insights into modern coaching methods and highlighted key areas coaches should focus on in order to nurture talented and promising young cricketers.

He emphasized the importance of creating a friendly and supportive environment for children while teaching them cricketing skills. Kirsten also noted that coaches must continuously improve their own skill levels in order to develop successful players. He encouraged school coaches to focus more on producing good cricketers rather than simply concentrating on winning matches.

Joining Kirsten at the program were Ryan van Niekerk, National Bowling Coach, and Jordan Gregory, National Fielding and Spin Bowling Coach, who also shared their expertise and experiences with the school coaches.

Sidath Wettimuny, Chairman of the Cricket Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket, who is also a member of the Cricket Transformation Committee, did the introductory speech of the program.

The program also featured an interactive Question-and-Answer session, giving participants the opportunity to engage directly with Gary Kirsten and further enhance their knowledge.

This program will continue periodically, with the objective of developing highly skilled and knowledgeable coaches within the Sri Lankan school cricket system.

Sports

Sadew, Tharushi among top contenders at Asian Junior Athletics Championship

Published

4 hours ago

2026/05/28

Sahan Weerasooriya

Tharusha Mendis

The 400 metres relay quartet inclusive of Sadew Rajakaruna and Omel Shashintha and 800 metres specialist Tharushi Abisheka will lead the country’s medal quest in the boys and girls categories when the Asian Junior Athletics Championship starts in Hong Kong today.

‎After having run sub 46 seconds in the 400 metres recently, Rajakaruna is expected to carry huge expectations to the regional event alongside Shashintha who too came almost close to clock sub 46.

‎They will compete in both the 400 metres and the 200 metres apart from playing lead roles in the relay.

Tharushi Abisheka

‎Both athletes are among the top sprinters in the Asian region and were a part of the nationl record setting quartet in the short track 4×400 metres relay along side seniors. They are expected to use their experience in competing at top international level to good effect.

‎In the girls’ category Abisheka is the leading contender for medals.

‎The Asian Youth Champion is scheduled to compete in both the 800 metres and the 1,500 metres.

‎In the field events, Tharusha Mendis has high hopes of bringing his best in the high jump.

‎‎Team

‎Under 20 Men’s:

Omel Shashintha Silva – 400m, 200m, 4x400m Relay, Sadew Rajakaruna – 400m, 200m, 4x400m Relay, Thisen Ranvidu Pathirage – Mixed Relay, 4x400m Relay, Iresh Bogoda – 4x400m Relay, Mixed Relay, Irosha Edirisingha – 4x400m Relay, Mixed Relay, Nethsara Dineth Liyanage – 800m, 1500m, Vidushan Rajendran – 3000m, Kaveesha Kulathunga – 110mH, Shavindu Nimasha Dias – 400mH, Kalpadith Hansaja Uyanwaththa – 400mH, Deesara Sendil Herath – Long Jump, Tharusha Mendis – High Jump, Nethra Chandupa Fernando – High Jump, Thehara Ravishka Fernando- Triple Jump, Sasindu Hansana Jayasingha – Triple Jump.

Under 20 Women’s:

Risansa Hirupama Silva – 200m, Dilanma Ransini Perera – 200m, Tharushi Abhisheka – 800m, 1500m, Mixed Relay, Mihinsa Dewmini Abeyrathna – High Jump, Oshini Kavindya Kodikara – Triple Jump, Ronalee Anne Pieris – 400m, Mixed Relay, Warsha Devmini Wimalasekara – Mixed Relay.‎

Sports

International and Thai Martial Arts games in Negombo

Published

4 hours ago

2026/05/28

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sri Lanka is preparing to host one of the biggest international martial arts events ever staged in the country, as the International and Thai Martial Arts (Asian Games) Sri Lanka 2026 comes to Goldi Sands Hotel, Negombo, from 28 May to 1 June 2026. The prestigious championship will feature Muaythai and UBF Boxing contests, bringing together elite fighters, coaches, and martial arts enthusiasts from around the world.

The event is officially sanctioned by the World Muaythai Organization (WMO), the World Muay Boran Federation (WMBF), and the Union Boxing Federation (UBF), making it a major global platform for both traditional and modern martial arts disciplines. It has also received approval from the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau under the Ministry of Tourism, with the support of the Royal Thai Embassy in Sri Lanka and local authorities.

A total of 14 countries have already confirmed participation, including Indonesia, Korea, Singapore, the USA, England, Uzbekistan, India, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Australia, Vietnam, Russia, the Philippines, and Thailand.

Fight nights are scheduled for 30 May, 31 May, and 1 June 2026, with each evening running from 4:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Ticket prices are Rs. 3,000 for Saturday and Monday, and Rs. 3,500 for Sunday’s opening ceremony show.

Organizers say the event will offer a unique beachfront atmosphere, live DJ entertainment, food and beverages, international seminars, and opportunities to meet world-class fighters and legendary grand masters. With elite athletes now being selected, the championship is expected to become a historic sporting highlight for Sri Lanka.