Thilanga Sumathipala, former Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) President, has opposed Sports Minister Faizer Mustapha’s proposal to appoint an independent Election Committee. Interestingly, all other 65 Sports bodies in the country were overwhelmed by the Faizer’s proposal and have given their approval for an independent Election Committee.
With the noble intentions of amend the regulations pertaining to the appointment of election committees, Faizer, on Tuesday, summoned representatives from all 66 registered National Sports Associations for a meeting. All the Existing and immediate past Presidents of National Sports associations were present at the meeting.
According to sources, all other officials of Sports associations agreed to Faizer’s proposal to make the appointment of election committees more transparent and democratic.
However, Sumathipala opposed the proposal completely and refused to give his node!
It is noteworthy that the appointment of an illegal election committee in May played the important part in Sumathipala’s departure from the SLC. Just before the election, Sumathipala Led administration put their favourites into a ‘so called’ election committee to oversee the proceedings. No surprise that that election committee immediately rejected Sri Lanka Cricket former President Jayantha Dharmadasa’s nomination and tried to give a free ride to Sumathipala. However, Sumathipala couldn’t fulfil his wish, as Nishantha Ranatunga, another heavyweight of Sri Lanka Cricket, went to court and brought a stay order against the unethical election.
“Sumathipala believes only in manipulating the things. That’s the reason, he opposed Sports Minister proposal to appoint an independent election committee. If it happens, Sumathipala knows his game will be over, because then he won’t be able to contest the election” a former SLC President told Cricket Age.
Also, during the meeting, Sumathipala was the only Sports association representative, who was frequently asking various questions to Faizer, when all others were just looking here and their silently. It proves that, only Sumathipala will be affected, if Sports Minister brings amendment for an independent election committee!
