Sports

The False prophet

Published

3 years ago

2023/01/15

by Rex Clementine

Throughout the history of Christianity, we have seen false prophets emerging at various times. St. Matthew in his gospel quotes Jesus of warning his disciples that there will be false prophets who preach in his name. One such false prophet was exposed in a report submitted to Minister of Sports by a panel that investigated Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup campaign where the team failed miserably and there was more attention paid for off the field activities than on field performance. There was so much distraction in Australia that in the end Danushka Gunathilaka was arrested in Sydney and charged with sexual assault.

The panel recommends strong punishment for Danushka so that others will learn a lesson and there won’t be any such incidents in the future. Country’s cricket hierarchy had several occasions to put Danushka on track but they let him off the hook every time. At least on four occasions he was given a mere slap on the wrist when he had misbehaved. They were selective about punishment. Someone like Kamil Mishara was not so lucky. He was straight away recalled from a tour and was taught a lesson.

The panel wants to go soft on Chamika Karunaratne on the count of double jeopardy as he has been already fined. Careful reading of the report gives you the impression that Chamika has hoodwinked the committee.

There’s a joke in cricket circles. Two seasons ago Chamika was bought at the IPL auction by Knight Riders. Team owner Shah Rukh Khan was asked what aspect of Chamika had impressed him. The Bollywood star had replied, ‘Chamika’s acting.’

While reiterating on the need to maintain high levels of fitness, the committee has failed to note that after the Asia Cup win, fitness tests were made null and void and that was one reason for the team’s horrendous show in Australia. After the Asia Cup everyone was on a high and the players had been given too much freedom.

The report also reveals that four other players were fined during the World Cup in Australia for breaking curfew. It’s also said that there may be a smoking culture within the team as there had been cigarette butts on the floors of the hotel the team was staying in Australia. That’s not something to be alarmed of as from Kagiso Rabada to K.L. Rahul all love a smoke or two. What needs to be found out is whether anyone is into drugs.

The report finds fault with SLC bosses for providing false information before the commission and some key office bearers are in trouble. It is noted that a dozen and half officials travelled to Australia on business class and were given allowances of USD 7000 each for a ten day stay. The allowances alone cost the board more than 100,000 USD while the airfare cost more than 25 million rupees.

One particular Executive Committee official wasn’t happy with a business class ticket and flew first class. Misuse of funds and privileges by Ex-Co members has been criticized in the report while some holding responsible positions are in trouble for holding back information and even telling lies.

The panel also recommended that visits to casinos during tours to be banned and didn’t buy into the story that casinos were the only place players could go and eat after games as most of the restaurants were closed. It was further recommended to allow wives on tour. But the panel had failed to find out why wives were stopped from touring in the first place.

A very good recommendation is player education on dos and don’ts while on tour as you are an ambassador representing your country.

That and all have been done on multiple occasions and while majority of the players are well mannered and well behaved, it is one or two bad eggs that bring constant trouble. It is those serial offenders that you need to kick out but sadly in cricket circles they have got too many godfathers. Otherwise when a Supreme Court judge recommended a two year suspension for someone for lack of remorse after a serious offence, why would you overrule it and reduce it to one year and then further cut it down to six months.

As for the false prophet, he was interviewed by the panel and he had spilled the names of his acquaintances who include powerful cricket officials, selectors, coaches, managers and players. The danger is that younger players are encouraged to follow the false prophet and unless they do so might face marginalization.

The report is somewhat flawed. For example it says that Danushka Gunathilaka’s incident happened after the Brisbane game when curfew had been relaxed. But the incident happened in Sydney and the committee had not done their homework. Their recommendations to take legal action against misbehaving and dishonest cricket officials could see major changes taking place at Maitland Place. An interesting week is ahead of us.

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Sports

Akbar Brothers crowned MBSA A-Division champions

Published

5 hours ago

2025/12/15

Priyan

Akbar Brothers Ltd delivered a commanding all-round performance to clinch the ‘A’ Division title at the 33rd MSBA League Basketball Tournament, defeating defending champions Fairfirst Insurance 70–60 in a thrilling final held recently.

Despite a group stage loss to Fairfirst, a revitalized Akbar Brothers team returned for the final with renewed focus, executing a strategic and disciplined game plan with some excellent passing and defense. Akbar Brothers came in with all guns blazing right from the outset. The first quarter was all Akbar’s that stacked up a 13 to 4 lead. Fairfirst mounted a strong challenge in the second quarter, narrowing the margin, but Akbar’s momentum secured a 35–28 lead at halftime, a margin they maintained with composure through to the final whistle.

Dasun Mendis led the charge for Akbar Brothers with 18 points and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). Chenura De Alwis added 17 points to the tally, while Shehan Udayanga posted a valiant 22 points for Fairfirst. Dimitri Grebe anchored Akbar Brothers with strong leadership, with Hiran Wijesooriya captaining Fairfirst.

Earlier in the tournament Akbar Brothers beat Sampath Bank (82-71), Seylan Bank (91-68) David Pieris (110-78) and Seylan Bank in the semi final (83-60)

The final, held at the Royal College Indoor Sports Complex, saw a vibrant turnout of supporters as Akbar Brothers proved their championship mettle with teamwork, resilience, and clinical execution.

Akbar Brothers – Dimitri Grebe (Captain), Dasun Mendis, Chenura De Alwis, Randil Henry, Taher Akbarally, Selvam Savarimuttu, Franklyn Morais, Sanketha Jayarathne, Jeewan Priyankera , Praneeth Udumalagala, Ajith Kuruppu (Coach), Adrian Gabriel (Asst. Coach)

Fairfirst Insurance – Hiran Wijesooriya (Captain), Shehan Udayanga , Lakshan Kulathunga, Roshan Randima, Arnold Brent, Isuru Perera, Denzil Nicholas, Nimesh Fernando, Keshawa Perera, Charaka Anuhas, Asanga Perera (Coach)

Sports

Wrong time for musical chairs in cricket

Published

18 hours ago

2025/12/15

Sahan Weerasooriya

Moves are underway to replace former opening batter Upul Tharanga as Chairman of Selectors, the latest in a series of shake-ups that have gathered pace alarmingly close to the showpiece event.

With just six weeks to go for the World Cup that Sri Lanka will co-host, the ground appears to be shifting under the selectors’ feet. Moves are underway to replace former opening batter Upul Tharanga as Chairman of Selectors, the latest in a series of shake-ups that have gathered pace alarmingly close to the showpiece event.

First came the reshuffling of the coaching staff. Then there were strong signals that captain Charith Asalanka could be moved aside. Now the selection panel itself is set for an overhaul. One is tempted to ask whether all this chopping and changing is really necessary with the tournament looming large on the horizon.

It is true that the selectors’ term will expire by the book, a new panel must take guard. But with less than two months left before the World Cup, common sense would suggest to let the status quo remain.

Tharanga’s panel has not been flawless, but it has hardly been a basket case either. Recent weeks have produced some sobering results, including a 3-0 ODI whitewash in Pakistan and an embarrassing T20 loss to Zimbabwe. Yet the team showed resilience, regrouped and fought their way into the finals, where they eventually went down to Pakistan.

There were tangible gains too. Sri Lanka climbed to fourth in the ODI rankings and even pulled off a Test victory over England. The wheels came off mainly in the T20 format, where they failed to progress beyond the first round of the last World Cup — a shortcoming that cannot be pinned on selection alone.

If there must be a changing of the guard, logic dictates that it should wait until after the World Cup. Midstream changes at the top rarely help steady a ship already sailing in choppy waters.

What is more troubling is the prospect of a familiar face returning to the hot seat — someone under whose watch Sri Lanka endured disastrous returns. During that previous tenure, selections were muddled and knee-jerk. A poor series often meant wholesale culling, with players axed almost as soon as they were drafted in, leaving no room for continuity or confidence.

There were baffling calls too: Maheesh Theekshana fast-tracked into Test cricket on the strength of his white-ball exploits, while Dunith Wellalage was handed a Test debut before even playing a T20 International. Such horses-for-courses thinking, taken to extremes, left Sri Lanka without a clear road map.

The end result was grim. Sri Lanka finished ninth at the 2023 World Cup, failed to qualify for the Champions Trophy and for the first time in their history, missed out on an ICC event altogether.

Sri Lanka Cricket’s deeper problem is a lack of willing candidates. Few former players are keen to step into the firing line of selection, a role that guarantees brickbats regardless of results. Cornered, the board has repeatedly turned to recycled hands — men who have done the job before, with precious little to show for it.

With the World Cup just around the bend, Sri Lanka can ill afford to keep moving the goalposts. Stability, not another roll of the dice, may yet be their best play.

by Rex Clementine

Sports

Seneviratne five-for blows Nepal away

Published

18 hours ago

2025/12/15

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sethmika Seneviratne was the Player of the Match for bagging 5 for 25.(ACC)

It was a run-out that started it all after Sri Lanka Under-19s captain Vimath Dinsara asked Nepal Under-19s to bat first in their Group B game at the Under-19s Asia Cup. Nepal were steady at 30 without loss, but come the eighth over, Dinsara combined with wicketkeeper Aadham Hilmy to run Niraj Kumar Yadav out for 10. That started a slide, and Nepal never recovered thereafter.

Sethmika Seneviratne had Sahil Patel caught for 12 in the ninth over, bowled Vansh Chhetri for a duck in the 11th, and then had Dilsad Ali caught without scoring in the 13th. Sri Lanka reduced Nepal to 37 for 4, with the four wickets gone for the addition of just seven runs within six overs.

‎At that stage, Nepal’s captain Ashok Dhami joined Cibrin Shrestha. Just when they looked set to help Nepal find a way back, Rasith Nimsara broke the 24-run stand by having Dhami caught behind for 9 to start the 21st over. Soon, 61 for 4 became 82 all out. Vigneshwaran Akash struck next to dismiss Shrestha for 18, which was Nepal’s highest score.

No Nepal batter after Shreshta even got into double figures, while Seneviratne got two lower-order batters to complete his five-for. Seneviratne finished with 5 for 25, and left Sri Lanka’s batters with little to do.

Although Nepal had Sri Lanka at 25 for 2 in the 83 chase, that only seemed like consolation. Dimantha Mahavithana (39*) and Kavija Gamage (24*) wiped Nepal out with an unbroken stand of 59, as Sri Lanka won with eight wickets and a massive 35.1 overs to spare.

‎Scores

‎Sri Lanka U-19s 84 for 2 (Mahavithana 39n.o., Kavija Gamage 24n.o., Mandal 1-16)

‎Nepal U-19s 82 (Shrestha 18, Seneviratne 5-25, Sigera 1-3)