-By a Senior Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -17.Sep.2024, 11.40 pm) President Ranil Wickremesinghe has allegedly allowed Limansa Tillakaratne, daughter of cricketer Tillakaratne Dilshan, to be included in the Sri Lankan Under-19 Women’s Cricket Team through an unlawful process.
Despite concerns from various quarters, Wickremesinghe, who also serves as the Minister of Sports, reportedly authorized Limansa’s inclusion in the team for the Australian tour. Limansa, an Australian citizen (holding dual citizenship), has not participated in any women's cricket competitions in Sri Lanka. It is said that she was included in the team through an illegal "parachute" method.
Out of the 15 selected players for the Under-19 Sri Lankan Women’s Cricket Team, led by Ranudi Nanayakkara of Moratuwa’s Princess of Wales College, Limansa Tillakaratne was initially not among them.
However, it is alleged that Tillakaratne Dilshan, along with the head of Sri Lanka Cricket, Shammie Silva, exerted pressure on the selection committee to include Limansa in the team. Afterward, the amended squad, now including Limansa, was sent for approval by President Wickremesinghe.
Tillakaratne Dilshan has long been associated with the Rajapaksa family. During the 2019 presidential election, he actively supported Gotabaya Rajapaksa's campaign. Despite announcing that he would contest the 2020 general election under the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party, he ultimately did not receive a nomination. Disheartened by this, Dilshan reportedly migrated to Australia with his family and obtained citizenship there.
Limansa Tillakaratne, who had not been involved in school or club cricket in Sri Lanka, only began playing cricket in Australia. However, she was unable to showcase the required skills to represent Australia. After the ousting of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Dilshan returned to Sri Lanka, hoping to include his daughter in the national women's cricket team.
Without having played any official women's cricket matches in Sri Lanka, Limansa was reportedly included in the Dambulla team for the under-23 domestic women’s Super League. Her selection is said to have been due to her father's influence, despite her lack of involvement in the local cricket scene.
Several parties have made appeals to President Wickremesinghe, arguing that Limansa’s inclusion in the team is unfair and an injustice to players who have worked for years to earn their place in Sri Lankan cricket. However, President Wickremesinghe, allegedly under the influence of Shammie Silva, approved the team with Limansa included.
Tillakaratne Dilshan is now reportedly supporting Sajith Premadasa, leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), in the upcoming presidential election. It is believed that this decision was influenced by Shammie Silva, with the hope of continuing corrupt practices if Sajith comes to power.
If Sajith Premadasa becomes the President, it is believed that Dilshan, in collaboration with Shammie Silva, would remove current women's team captain Chamari Athapaththu and place his daughter as the captain. This incident, critics argue, is a testament to the deeply rooted corruption and unethical behavior in Sri Lankan cricket and politics.
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by (2024-09-17 20:14:12)
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