Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

SPORTS MINISTER GIVES GREEN LIGHT FOR BIG MATCHES

- BY SUSIL PREMALAL

Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa has given the green light for schools to conduct their annual cricket big matches. Following requests by school heads and various other parties, Minister Rajapaksa held discussion­s with Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris before arriving at this decision.

However, the big matches must be conducted strictly adhering to quarantine regulation­s, the Sports Minister said at a press conference held at the Duncan White auditorium of the ministry yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion of the National Sports Update provided by National Sports Council (NSC) chairman Mahela Jayawarden­e, the Sports Minister said arrangemen­ts are underway to conduct big matches such as the Royal-thomian, Ananda-nalanda and Richmond-mahinda.

A majority of the big matches could not be held last year with the

However, the big matches must be conducted strictly adhering to quarantine regulation­s, the Sports Minister said at a press conference held at the Duncan White auditorium of the ministry yesterday

outbreak of COVID-19. Soon after the Royal-thomian encounter last March, all big matches were cancelled.

Meanwhile, the minister said he was not in haste to appoint members to the national cricket selection committee, including the vacant position of chairman.

“Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the SLC Cricket Committee comprising former national cricketers in consultati­on with the NSC would appoint a selection committee with a long-term vision,” the minister said.

The minister said every selection committee would in future comprise veterans who have an understand­ing of the talent in the national pool and not select individual­s tour by tour.

 ?? PIC BY KITHSIRI DE MEL ?? Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa addressing the National Sports Update press conference alongside NSC chairman Mahela Jayawarden­e, Kumar Sangakkara and Julian Bolling in addition to ministry officials
PIC BY KITHSIRI DE MEL Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa addressing the National Sports Update press conference alongside NSC chairman Mahela Jayawarden­e, Kumar Sangakkara and Julian Bolling in addition to ministry officials

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