Hashan Tillakaratne, Vaas approached by Sri Lanka Cricket for selector role

That Sri Lanka cricket is in shambles on the field is no news but their misery extends off the field too. Constant changes in leadership, coaches leaving or former players badmouthing the administration; things have gone from bad to worse for the island nation. This time, the latest off-field trouble was the resignation of the Sanath Jayasuriya-led selection panel which happened last week.

This happened in the wake of Sri Lanka’ abject surrender to rivals India in both Tests and the ODIs, along with host’s poor show in the series against Zimbabwe. In a combined letter, with names of all five selectors sent to Sri Lanka’s sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, it is mentioned that the present committee will officially be done with their tenure on 7 September. Their role of the selection committee, though, has already ended with their announcement of the last squad for the lone T20, today.

If reports are to be believed, former cricketers Hashan Tillakaratne and Chaminda Vaas will be seen in the role of the new selectors. It is also reported by Xtratime that Mr. Ashley De Silva, the CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket, has been given the task to obtain the consent of both Tillakaratne and Vaas. The latter is currently the bowling coach of the national team while Tillakaratne was appointed as a batting consultant during the Test series against India.

Many former cricketers not willing to serve SLC

There were many other former cricketers approached for the job, but none was willing to take it. Former cricketers like Marvan Atapattu, Roshan Mahanama, Promodaya Wickremasingha and Asantha De Mel were discussed along with Aravinda Silva, Ranjith Fernando, Amal Silva who served together prior to the last ICC CWC that Sri Lanka lost in the final to India.

The reason cited by all former national players is that they do not wish to serve SLC under Thilanga Sumathipala and his Executive Committee at all, not because of cricket, but due to the financial irregularities/misappropriation of funds that are taking place at SLC and the clandestine behavior by most his Executive Committee members. It is evident that SLC is desperate to get the services of Roy Dias (present U19 coach), Hashan Tillakaratne, Upul Chandana and Chaminda Vaas as selectors since no one wants to come forward to serve.