-By LeN Sportsman
(Lanka-e-News -24.Jan.2025, 9.15 PM) Sri Lanka loves cricket. Cricket is a religion, a second language, and the ultimate excuse to skip work. But while the nation cheers for the sport, the drama happening off the pitch is no less riveting. The latest? A chairmanship battle in the Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) that's shaping up to be as chaotic as a tail-ender facing Lasith Malinga’s yorkers.
Three contenders have entered the arena: Samantha Dodanwala, Jayanttha Dharmadasa, and the reigning champion (read: chairman) Shammi Silva. On paper, this might look like a professional tussle over leadership. But behind the scenes, it’s less about cricket and more about power, politics, and, occasionally, hilarity.
Let’s break down this bizarre three-way cricket match that doesn’t involve a bat, ball, or a scoreboard.
Jayanttha Dharmadasa, the oldest player in this political innings, isn’t new to the cricket board drama. Known for his deep pockets and deeper love for...let's call it "extracurricular activities," Jayanttha’s reputation precedes him. Reports have surfaced about his, shall we say, colorful escapades.
A man often described as a lover of “second innings,” Jayanttha has allegedly been spotted leaving hotel rooms looking like he just survived a hat-trick. Let’s be clear: cricket requires pads and gloves, but Dharmadasa seems more comfortable batting without either. It’s safe to say his campaign slogan wouldn’t be “family-friendly.”
While his cricketing acumen is questionable, his political connections are impeccable. But should Sri Lanka Cricket really be led by someone who spends more time playing off-field than developing on-field talent? The nation deserves better than hotel-room theatrics.
Samantha Dodanwala, the underdog in this match, enters the fray with a clean slate. A relatively new face in the cricket board circles, he’s banking on his outsider status to win support.
Unlike his competitors, Samantha doesn’t come with baggage (or hidden scandals involving cricket metaphors and awkward hotel exits). He’s pitching himself as a fresh alternative—a no-nonsense reformer who can steer Sri Lanka Cricket away from its politics-first approach and back to the game.
While Samantha’s lack of experience in cricket administration might raise eyebrows, many argue that his clean image makes him the ideal candidate to bring transparency and accountability to an institution mired in controversy.
Then there’s Shammi Silva, the current chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket. Known for his political savvy, Shammi has mastered the art of staying afloat in the murky waters of sports administration.
Critics argue that under his leadership, Sri Lanka Cricket has focused more on politics than cricket. Rumor has it that his strategy often involves cozying up to the Sports Minister, who, according to insiders, spends more time binge-watching Netflix than addressing the sport’s declining state.
Shammi’s leadership hasn’t exactly been inspiring. Under his watch, Sri Lanka’s cricket board has been criticized for mismanagement, lack of vision, and a troubling focus on elite schools and Colombo-centric cricket. The sport’s grassroots development has been ignored, leaving the pipeline for young talent dry as a Day 5 Test pitch.
The Sri Lanka Cricket Board is no ordinary organization. With billions of rupees in sponsorship deals, TV rights, and foreign tour revenues, it’s a gold mine—and that’s precisely the problem. Everyone wants a piece of the pie, and cricket often takes a backseat.
The current election is no different. While candidates like Dodanwala promise reforms, others are busy playing politics. The club voting system, where clubs and schools control votes, has long been criticized for being corrupt and opaque. Candidates often curry favor with voters through bribery, sponsorships, or favors, turning the election into a money-driven spectacle.
Sri Lanka’s cricketing future depends on sweeping reforms, not just a change in leadership. Here’s what needs to happen:
1. Decentralization: Cricket should no longer be the exclusive domain of Colombo’s elite. Talent exists across the island, from Jaffna to Galle. Let’s find the next Muttiah Muralitharan spinning magic in tea estates or the next Lasith Malinga perfecting yorkers in a village field.
2. Transparent Elections: The current voting system is a joke. Clubs and schools wield too much power, and the lack of transparency breeds corruption. The process should be monitored by independent bodies to ensure fairness.
3. Strict Auditing: The cricket board’s finances must be audited monthly by the Government Audit Department, not private accounting firms hired by board members themselves. Every rupee must be accounted for.
4. Long-Term Vision: Sri Lanka Cricket needs a roadmap. A Vision 2026 or Vision 2028 plan should focus on nurturing young talent, improving infrastructure, and enhancing the domestic cricketing structure.
5. Independent Monitoring: Former cricketers should be part of an independent committee to oversee board decisions. Who better to ensure cricket remains the focus than those who’ve dedicated their lives to the game?
One of the most frustrating aspects of the cricket board’s mismanagement is its inability to capitalize on Sri Lanka’s immense potential. When the national team travels abroad, they earn millions of dollars in match fees and sponsorships. But instead of reinvesting in talent development, this money disappears into the black hole of bureaucracy and corruption.
Cricket in Sri Lanka needs a cultural shift. It’s time to stop treating the sport as a personal playground for politicians and power-hungry administrators.
The chairmanship fight is heating up, and while the stakes are high, the antics are downright comical. Whether it’s Jayanttha Dharmadasa’s questionable off-field “matches,” Shammi Silva’s Netflix-inspired governance, or Samantha Dodanwala’s outsider pitch, the drama promises to be as entertaining as a nail-biting ODI.
But beneath the humor lies a serious question: will this election bring about the change Sri Lankan cricket desperately needs? Or will it be yet another episode in the long-running saga of politics over the sport?
For now, all we can do is sit back, grab some popcorn, and watch this game unfold. Unlike cricket, this match has no rules, no umpires, and no guarantee of a fair outcome. But hey, at least it’s entertaining.
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by (2025-01-24 15:54:01)
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