Guns are drawn -- now it's time for the cricket war
As Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) took its first step this week towards holding their long overdue elections by appointing the mandatory three-member election committee, and a grand coalition is being formed to challenge Thilanga Sumathipala, the former president.
Such an alliance could pose a significant challenge to Sumathipala at a future election. But whether it can muster sufficient support to defeat a man who wields considerable power among stakeholders remains to be seen.
Sumathipala defeated his main rival Nishantha Ranatunga handsomely by 88 to 56 votes at the last election. But his candidature this time around hangs in the balance as his eligibility has been tested in the Court of Appeal over his alleged involvement in the gaming and newspaper industries.
A final determination will be announced on December 5. But Sumathipala--a lawmaker in Sri Lanka's Parliament--has repeatedly denied any involvement in either sector and argued that there’s no legal impediment against his candidature.
But Ranatunga is gaining ground. After successfully getting the election postponed through an interim order, he is cultivating a strongman who could run the business.
K Mathivanan--the Vice President in charge of international cricket in the Sumathipala administration--has abandoned ship and hooked up with Ranatunga, once a bitter enemy. Mathivanan was also a Vice President in the Jayantha Dharmadasa administration in 2013 but resigned a few months later when forced to withdraw his candidature for President of Colts CC. This had allowed Ranatunga to elect uncontested. Also the Board Secretary at the time, the rumour mill said Ranatunga had been behind Mathivanan’s "forced" resignation.
But the old foes are now friends and are forming a grand coalition that also includes Jayantha Dharmadasa, a former President and a Vice President in the Sumathipala administration. Dharmadasa extended his support to Sumathipala at the 2016 election but the union split when the he resigned over differences, just a few months into their tenure. They have been bitter rivals since then.
Mathivanan, a respected cricket administrator, is keen to contest the post of President but his candidature is largely dependent on what Dharmadasa decides. By law, Dharmadasa is ineligible for the post as he has not been a professional player. It is not clear how he would clear this legal impediment in his quest for the top slot. In the event he is disqualified, Mathivanan will contest with Ranatunga as his Secretary while Arjuna Ranatunga and Dharmadasa are likely to vie for the two Vice President positions.
Nevertheless, Sumathipala will have his own team contesting the election. His former Vice President Mohan de Silva could be fielded for the top post in the event Sumathipala--who has publicly stated his intention to come forward-is barred. If he clears the legal barriers surrounding his candidature, it will be a difficult task to oust him. Such is his sway over the stakeholders.
The popularity of Sumathipala administration took a significant beating among the public during his two years at the helm. It did too little to fulfill pledges of good governance, transparency and, more importantly, to uplift the game across all levels. During the period, SLC hired expensive coaches for the national team, hoping the expatriates could turn things around. But the slide of the national team did not stop. It is now going through its worst patch in all formats.
These, however, will have little impact on the election as a whole. During his stint, Sumathipala spent lavishly on infrastructure developments. And he provided financial assistance to clubs, district and provincial associations to strengthen his grip. One of his supporters said that, even if he were out of the contest, his camp is confident of winning. Sumathipala has never been ousted at an election. Neither has any horse he backed ever lost a race. This will lead to an interesting battle at the election early next year.
In 2004, Sumathipala got Mohan De Silva as president when Sumathipala decided not to re-contest the election after being held in police custody over a passport fraud case.
SLC administration has been under a Competent Authority since May 31 this year, when the election of office bearers was halted by a court order. After months of delay, the SLC has finally begun the process required to go for fresh elections. The date on which the poll will be held is yet to be decided but it will have to be before the International Cricket Council- led deadline of mid-February.