by Rex Clementine

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the appointment of the first ever Cricket Interim Committee. Ironically, the man who was chosen to Chair that committee, although a keen follower of the game, had little experience in its administration. Rienzie T. Wijetilleke is his name.

Orders to appoint Wijetilleke, then the Chairman of Hatton National Bank, came directly from the Country‘s President, Chandrika Kumaratunga who was well acquainted with his “no nonsense” approach to discipline and accountability.

The year 1999 seriously marred the hard earned reputation of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) which also had an impact on our players.

Authentic allegations of growing corruption since the World Cup was won in 1996 were compounded by violence at the Annual General Meeting in March 1999, and the image of the Board had descended to its lowest ever both at home and in the eyes of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The President’s reaction was swift and decisive as she dissolved the entire Board and appointed the first ever Interim Committee to administer cricket.

To make matters worse, defending World Champions Sri Lanka fared disastrously in the ICC World Cup in the UK in May of that year crashing out of the tournament in the preliminary rounds signalling that it was time for some of our heroes of 1996 to be accorded a graceful exit and change ushered in.

Wijetilleke ‘s hand was hugely strengthened by the appointment of the other members to the Committee, with reputed names as S. Skandakumar (a vastly experienced Hony Secretary of Board of Control for Cricket), Sidath Wettimuny, Michael Tissera, Ashantha de Mel (national cricketers of excellent standing) and Kushil Gunasekera (a proven track record for meticulous planning of international events at home)

Wijetilleke  introduced checks and balances to Maitland Place through strong foolproof structures and left the cricketing side of the game to his knowledgeable colleagues.

The appointment of Sidath Wettimuny as Chairman of selectors gave early notice of the major changes that were in store and after offering Arjuna Ranatunge the opportunity to graciously step down as captain, which  he refused to do, Sidath and his committee, supported by the Interim Committee removed him and appointed a young Sanath Jayasuriya as captain.

A new era was indeed on the horizon but there was work yet to be done.

With a nucleus of young players as Mahela Jayawardena,  Kumar Sangakkara, T.M. Dilshan Chamara Silva etc emerging, the Interim Committee was unanimous that Dav Whatmore coach of the World Cup winning team had to be brought back.

Skandakumar, attending the ICC AGM at Lord’s in June 1999 was mandated by the Interim Committee to meet Whatmore, who was on contract to Lancashire, and negotiate for his return.

This is what Wijetilleke wrote in his memoirs on that visit. “Skanda in his significant role as ambassador of goodwill was able to achieve a great deal in restoring the credibility and image of the Board of Control for Cricket in the eyes of the ICC.

“He was also able, acting on a mandate of the committee, to successfully negotiate for the return of  Whatmore as National Coach for three years from August 1999.”

Whatmore’s return had an instantaneous impact as in a triangular tournament in the same month with World Cup champs Australia and India participating, Sri Lanka emerged victorious. Shortly thereafter when the first ever Test series win against Australia was registered at home, these meaningful  changes were indeed bearing fruit and a new era for our cricket both on and off the field had dawned!

Wettimuny’s mature judgement ensured the presence of Arjuna and Aravinda for that Test series to help humble Steve Waugh’s champion side!

With our credibility restored, the ICC entrusted the Board of Control for Cricket, the responsibility to host the ICC Under-19 World Cup that had no less than 16 international teams participating .

This challenge was met to perfection thanks to the leadership Kushil Gunasekera provided where every detail was addressed and the tributes paid by the ICC at the conclusion of that tournament spoke for themselves.

Our national team in the months following the Test series win against Australia toured Zimbabwe and Pakistan for similar series and returned triumphant in both.

Sadly if not tragically, in spite of all of these, the Interim Committee had continuing differences with the then Sports Minister S.B Dissanayake on his own agendas and after a remarkably successful tenure the entire committee resigned en masse after twelve months in Hony office in May 2000.

At the time of that resignation they held the following positions in their substantive jobs: Rienzie T. Wijetilleke  – Chairman, Hatton National Bank, S. Skandakumar – Chairman, George Steuart’s Group, Michael Tissera  – Senior Director, Tea Tang, Sidath Wettimuny – Chairman and MD, Noble Group Exports, Ashantha de Mel – Co-Owner, Asia Couture Exports, Kushil Gunasekera – Chairman, Foundation of Goodness.

 The loss was very much Sri Lanka’s but these exceptional gentlemen left a legacy that reminded all that Honorary Office was indeed holding Office with Honour!