‘Dalmiya saved Lanka during 1996 World Cup’

Thilanga Sumathipala is a well-known name when it comes to cricket administration in Sri Lanka. The 53-year-old, the current Board president, has donned several roles during his association with the game, being president of the then Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka in 1997/98, 2000/01 and 2003–2004 and also a director of ICC between 1998 till 2000.

In a chat, Sumathipala opened up on various issues.

One incident that made your bond with Dalmiya strong...

My bond with Jagmohan Dalmiya grew stronger during the 1996 World Cup when Australia and West Indies decided not to come to Colombo following the bomb attack in February 1996. Dalmiya formed a team to ensure the security was good in Sri Lanka. We had a meeting in Kolkata following the blast. We had signed for the Wills World Cup and sponsors were on board. I was facing a huge challenge. So, Dalmiya put together a team consisting of India and Pakistan players and made the Wills XI. He demonstrated amazing leadership.

Dalmiya’s role in sorting out IndiaPakistan XI in 1996...

Once we put the team together, Dalmiya headed the PILCOM (Pakistan, India and Lanka Committee). We had a problem of picking the XI. Mohammad Azharuddin came and said, “How can I play under a Pakistan captain’? Wasim Akram then charged in and said to Dalmiya, “I cannot play under an Indian captain.” So, Dalmiya called Intikhab Alam and asked who is in charge of the team in a stern voice. Alam replied the manager. So he announced, under a Pakistan manager, the captain must be Indian. He resolved the problem. Alam was to manage and Azharuddin was to captain.

Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara have criticised structure in Sri Lanka...

There are two different schools of thoughts. Mahela’s idea is different. What he is saying is that improve the Lanka Premier League. We are supportive of some of his remarks. Sangakkara is advocating on assisting us in some other area. They cannot be a full-time coach sitting with the national team because they are so much on demand. It will take some time. They have a role to play. They are still playing and coaching. We will welcome them.

Can SL host IPL in 2019?

We have six international stadiums, most of them are floodlit. When one looks at the TV timing, Sri Lanka is best suited.