Mathews also bagged two other awards in a glittering ceremony graced by Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera and Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram who was the chief guest – the All-rounder of the Year for both Test and One-Day Internationals.

The awards which featured the performances of Sri Lanka’s cricketers for 2015 saw Dilshan and fast bowler Lasith Malinga bag two awards apiece.

Dilshan also won the T20 Batsman of the Year while Malinga picked up the Bowler of the Year award for both categories ODI and T20.

Wasim who played in 19 Tests and 59 ODIs against Sri Lanka between 1985 and 2002 recalled many memories of the matches between the two countries since his first visit to the country with Imran Khan’s Pakistan side in 1985.

“We had many major battles on and off the field, but lots of them off the field. Sri Lanka is a memorable place for me. It’s a ‘Heaven on Earth’ and we call it the Pearl Island,” said Wasim.

“What I like about the country is the positive energy that generates from the people. Everyone in Sri Lanka is happy and with a smile on their face. When I walk on the road I feel safe and it’s like my second home. People smile and say hello and some want to take selfies,” he said.

Wasim said his love for the country has made him an unofficial ambassador of Sri Lanka and wherever he went he always told people that Sri Lanka was one country they should not miss visiting.

Speaking of the country’s cricket Wasim said, “Sri Lanka played cricket in the real spirit. They are quite calm but deadly.”

Wasim praised the school system in Sri Lanka and said that it was “an unmatchable school cricket structure” that has helped the country produce so many great cricketers like Aravinda de Silva, Arjuna Ranatunga, Chaminda Vaas, Sanath Jayasuriya and Muthiah Muralitharan.

Wasim thanked Sri Lanka Cricket president Thilanga Sumathipala for inviting him to the awards presentation and said, “I am always available for Sri Lanka Cricket in any capacity. Pakistan and Sri Lanka are brotherly countries and one should help each other.”

“A lot of youngsters try to play T20s and one-dayers, but I’m giving advice to them that they should make sure they enjoy Test cricket first, then they can enjoy one-dayers and T20s,” said 39-year-old Dilshan after playing his 330th and final ODI at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium on Sunday against Australia before retiring.

“Everyone has to play more Test cricket. That is the duty of the game. I really enjoyed my Test career as well, rather than the one-dayers. This is a time for our youngsters to put their hands up and take over Sri Lankan cricket. That’s the reason for my retirement. The youngsters are doing really well. Hopefully they can take our national flag a long way,” he said.

Dilshan appeared for his country in 87 Tests scoring 5492 runs at an average of 40.98 with 16 hundreds and captained in 11 of them. It was during his short tenure as captain that Dilshan made his highest Test score – a magnificent 193 against England at Lord’s in 2011 and Sri Lanka recorded their maiden Test win in South Africa by 208 runs at Durban in 2012.

About the timing of his retirement Dilshan said, “I just thought it was time, just as I had thought with my Test career. After this series there is no cricket for me for six months. It’s in January that we play next in South Africa. I thought that it’s better for a new player to train with the team in those six months than me.

“They can get good experience with the team during that time. I thought it was enough so I talked with my wife and my parents. If young players can win in the future that would give me the most joy. You can’t buy that feeling.

“There was no influence.

I had been expecting to play on, but I talked with a lot of people around me and changed my mind. I talked to Thilanga Sumathipala (SLC president) as well, who is someone you can get a lot of good advice from. He’s been like a father, when I faced some problems. I’ve got that support from all these people.”

Reflecting back on his career Dilshan said, “I am happy about what I’ve done for my country in my career. I won’t forget my 17 years serving Sri Lanka. I gave everything in all my matches. If I couldn’t bat, I bowled, and if I couldn’t bowl well, I fielded well.

I can be happy about my journey. Today also I tried my best to win this game, but unfortunately we were short by about 10 or 15 runs. I’m also disappointed that after getting a 40 – and getting starts in the last two games – I couldn’t get a big one. But I’m glad to be giving the youngsters a chance.”

Dilshan said that he hadn’t planned to retire before the series but when he woke up that day he felt that it was time for him to go.

“Whether someone tells me to keep playing or stop playing, that’s not what’s important. What is important is what I feel.

I started the series thinking that I’ll play for another year – at least in T20 cricket. But when I woke up that day I felt that it was time to go,” said Dilshan.

“To be honest I could easily play for another year or two. But we have to look to the future. If I play for another two years and leave, there’s only 18 months before the next World Cup and that’s unfair to the team. A young player could be blooded in that time.

“Since I started opening six years ago, we haven’t found a permanent partner for me. I’ve opened with about 10 people – so that’s a problematic area for us.

If I keep playing we won’t be able to get two batsmen settled in that place. At the same time I’ll also get some rest,” he said.

“I have taken this decision after consultation with my family members. I think this is the right time for me to retire and I have no other ambitions of prolonging my career any further,”

Dilshan will make his final One-Day International appearance for his country in the third ODI against Australia at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium on Sunday August 28 and his final T20 International appearance also against Australia at the R Premadasa Stadium on September 9.

“I want to catch up on the lost time with my wife and three kids and want to give them the best of fatherhood which they may have missed by my being away from home with the Sri Lanka team,” Dilshan said.

The 39-year-old right-handed opener retired from Test cricket in March 2013 and concentrated on playing One-Day Internationals and T20 Internationals. He said at the time that he would call it quits when he no longer enjoys the game.

It seems the time has arrived for him to take a final decision on his career. Dilshan’s current form would also have been a factor towards his final decision. He scored 22 and 10 in the first two ODIs played at the R Premadasa Stadium coming out of a knee injury which he sustained during practice. He also missed Sri Lanka’s last ODI and T20I series in England citing “personal reasons”.

Chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya said that he and his committee were unaware of Dilshan’s decision to retire as they had already picked him to play in the third and fourth ODIs in Dambulla.

“We picked the side during the second ODI and we learnt of Dilshan’s decision only yesterday,” said Jayasuriya.

He denied that there was any pressure brought on Dilshan to retire. “The decision he took was purely his own, we were keen to play him.”

Paying a tribute to a former team mate Jayasuriya said, “Dilshan was truly a great all-rounder for Sri Lanka. He could bat, bowl, field and even keep wickets very rarely do you find a cricketer who is so versatile in every department. What is so great about him is his commitment to perform well even at this late age. Sri Lanka cricket will certainly miss him.”

Will Dilshan be lost to cricket forever?

“I have no plans to play any further cricket or be involved with cricket. It’s a decision that I have taken,” said Dilshan.

“Although I am not considering taking up any positions connected to cricket or play cricket of any format my name I am sure will remain in the game as the inventor of the ‘Dilscoop’,” he said.

The ‘Dilscoop’ became famous during the ICC World T20 in England in 2009 when Dilshan used it frequently to become the leading run-getter in the tournament with 317 runs (avg. 52.83) and a top score of 96 not out – a performance that took his team to the final against Pakistan at Lord’s and gave him the Man of the Series award.

According to Dilshan he started practicing this stroke against a bowling machine during his tenure with Delhi Daredevils in the 2009 Indian Premier League (IPL) held in South Africa. It was used so successfully by Dilshan during the World T20 that former Australian captain Ian Chappell who commentating during the tournament aid that he had never seen any batsman play the ball straight over the wicket-keeper’s head as Dilshan does.

Dilshan appeared for Sri Lanka in 97 Tests 11 of which he captained and in 329 ODIs (26 as captain). He also captained in five of 78 T20 Internationals he has played to-date.

Making his ODI debut in December 1999 in Zimbabwe, Dilshan turned out to be one of the most successful cricketers in the shorter format scoring over 10,000 runs and capturing over 100 wickets. He is also one of the few batsmen to score over 1000 runs in T20Is and also a century. He made 1000 ODI runs in a calendar year on four occasions, the last one being in 2015 when he amassed 1207 at an average of 52.47.

Despite his age Dilshan remains one of the best fielders in world cricket especially at his pet position at cover point where he has brought off numerous catches and saved several runs for his team. His best performance on the field was during the VB final against Australia at Adelaide in 2006 when he ran out four batsmen with some slick fielding that enabled Sri Lanka defend a target of 275 and win by 22 runs.

Sri Lanka Cricket in a media release stated that they would dedicate the third ODI between Sri Lanka and Australia to be played at Dambulla Stadium on Sunday to honour Dilshan for his invaluable contribution to the game and country.

“I together with my committee wish to extend our sincere appreciation and wish him the very best in his future endeavors,” said Sri Lanka Cricket president Thilanga Sumathipala.

ACC members pose for an official photograph with Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera and SLC and ACC president Thilanga Sumathipala. (Pix by Sudam Gunasinghe)
The occasion was graced by Dayasiri Jayasekera, Minister of Sports and Ravi Karunanayake, Minister of Finance as chief guest and guest of honour respectively, in the presence of other eminent personalities.

The decision of the ACC to set up its permanent address in Sri Lanka was facilitated by overwhelming support from Sri Lanka Cricket and the Government of Sri Lanka, both of which helped pave the way for ACC’s entry into Sri Lanka.

This move will strengthen Sri Lanka’s position as the nerve centre for the sport in the Asian region by uniting the region’s membership base of 25 countries to work towards global prosperity of the sport.

Current president of ACC and Sri Lanka Cricket, Thilanga Sumathipala, commenting on the historic occasion said, “It gives me immense pride to welcome Asian Cricket Council to Sri Lanka, as it marks a new and exciting chapter for the sport in the region which will simultaneously have a positive impact on the game in Sri Lanka as well. I have a passionate

vision for the future development of the game in Sri Lanka and I believe that ACC’s move to set up its new office in Sri Lanka will play a big role in promoting and developing cricket resources in the country.

The Asian Cricket Council Head Office in Maitland Place, Colombo, next to Sri Lanka Cricket headquarters.
“ACC has played a critical role in boosting the game and its vital infrastructure such as players, officials and technical expertise, and we intend to accelerate those efforts going ahead to achieve our vision for unity in Asia through global prosperity. Three of the four major ACC countries, namely Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan have won cricket’s biggest extravaganza – the World Cup: India in 1983 and 2011, Pakistan in 1992, and Sri Lanka in 1996; as well as the World T20: India in 2007, Pakistan in 2009 and Sri Lanka in 2014. We believe we can improve this record further

now that ACC has established its base in Sri Lanka.”

Minister Jayasekara said that “Sri Lanka has tremendous potential in terms of untapped cricketing talent both as players and administrators. We believe that ACC’s presence will help to mine this potential to the fullest extent”.

Minister Karunanayake stated that the “Government of Sri Lanka is proud to be associated with this ground breaking enterprise and looked forward to be of service in the future when needed, in developing the sport of cricket in the Asian region”.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is a cricket organisation established in 1983 to promote and develop the sport of cricket in Asia. Subordinate to the International Cricket Council, the council is the continent’s regional administrative body, and currently consists of 25 member associations.

Sri Lanka Under 19 cricketers beat their English counterparts to win the two-Test Youth series 1-0 and followed it up by whitewashing them in the three-match Youth ODI series 3-0.

“I am very happy to say that a few players in the Under-19 squad are knocking the doors on the national side,” said Jayasuriya, who has been keeping a close eye on the development of junior cricket even during his previous tenure as the national selector.

Jayasuriya said under SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala’s management, SLC has put a great effort in developing junior cricket with the junior selectors headed by Ranjith Madurasinghe, who has done an excellent job.

The Sri Lanka Under-19 team, led by Charith Asalanka, was warmly welcomed at the SLC headquarters following their historic tour of England.

“It’s a historic moment for SLC as the side won the both Test and One Day series. We had never won both series in England at junior level,” SLC CEO Ashley de Silva said. Team manager Mahinda Halangoda said that it was a tough series, but added, “We had fantastic weather conditions in England and there were at least five batsmen ready to go to the next level which includes Avishka Fernando, who hit two back to back hundreds in the ODIs and skipper Charith Asalanka.”

“Our fielding was exceptional and it came for high praise from England umpire Nick Cook,” said Halangoda. “He said we are a brilliant fielding unit, better than either Sri Lanka A or the current national team.” Cook, is a former England cricketer turned first-class umpire.

“I have no words to say, I am really happy that our players have done a great job,” said SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala under whose leadership Sri Lanka cricket has reaped tremendous success during the year.

“We are proud as a country as this happened while the national side whitewashed the No. 1 Test team, Australia,” the SLC president said. “Under the guidance of Nelson Mendis, Mahinda Halalgoda and coach Roy Dias, our players have maintained good discipline in the UK, it’s an admirable moment,” said Sumathipala. SLC presented one million rupees to the victorious Under 19 cricketers. The cheque was officially handed over to the Sri Lanka under 19 captain Charith Asalanka by president Sumathipala.

In a congratulatory letter to the new BCCI chief, Sumathipala said “… Your unanimous victory reflects the confidence and faith of the membership of the BCCI … I am confident that under your leadership the game will continue to progress and flourish …”

The 42-year-old Thakur replaces Shashank Manohar who is the newly appointed Chairman of the International Cricket Council. The former Secretary whilst being the youngest elected President, is also first first-class cricketer to turn BCCI president since 1998.

The newly elected Executive Committee headed by Thilanga Sumathipala has decided to re-assess the projects based on the high cost involved in construction (Rs.248 million) and the space allocation at the respective venues, states an SLC media release.

SLC will get the proper approvals from the relevant authorities and proceed with the work on the said projects on a priority basis.

Central Engineering Consulting Bureau (CECB) has been advised to present the progress of construction carried out at R. Premadasa Stadium and a new cost estimate for the said project.

The ExCo will study the new proposal from CECB and decide on the way forward which should not be too much of a strain on the finances of SLC.

However the reality will be in the hands of the stakeholders who have mandated to vote for the most suitable candidate and their team and will wisely decide on the outcome.

As the present administration is run by an interim committee the Ministry of Sports will conduct the election under the supervision of its Director-General K.D.S. Ruwanchandra.

The two main contestants in the running for the presidency are former three-time president Thilanga Sumathipala who is also the Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Nishantha Ranatunga, a former four-time secretary and present president of Colombo Colts CC. There is Sumith Perera, president of Badureliya SC who is also contesting for the post.

Following the court order all the nominees against whom objections were raised will be able to contest their respective posts.

Yesterday and today were crucial for both parties as there will be a lot of horse trading taking place till Saturday evening.

With the coming together of Jayantha Dharmadasa and Thilanga Sumathipala, two former rivals for the presidency in the past, the Sumathipala camp appears to have a strong stakeholder backing.

THILANGA SAYS

“I was vice president for three consecutive years 1995-1997 and contested the presidency three times and each time I won more than two-thirds of the membership supported me and my team,” said Sumathipala.

“At that time the only strong point was that Jayantha Dharmadasa’s supporters were not with me. Today he is also with me. I can’t see anybody who understands cricket and cricketing administration can even dream of coming closer to winning with our entire team.

“We are practical and have a pragmatic approach. We are definitely winning and there is no doubt about it. The stakeholders whom we have contacted have given us sufficient indication towards such a victory,” he said.

Sumathipala added that his top priority was to stabilize national cricket and to appoint a top level foreign coach to ensure sustainability to improve our international rankings and to achieve better results.

“With the exit of stars Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara there are youngsters who could perform but the lack of experience deprives them from performing at that level. They need guidance at international level. So getting a foreign coach is imperative,” said Sumathipala.

“Top priority will be given to national cricket and the appointment of a national coach to sustain our status in the international arena and give guidance to a number of promising youngsters to perform at the top level.

“I also plan to introduce a system to support the decentralisation of cricket in the districts by having a strong administrative and infrastructure base and also give maximum support to club cricket to enhance its status and quality so that domestic cricket becomes meaningful to cater to international cricket,” he said.

NISHANTHA SAYS

“I came forward basically because of the request we got from the membership who had appreciated the development work we had done and that we have done well in our cricket,” said Ranatunga.

“We were ranked first in T20s, second in Tests and third in ODIs at the time we were removed from the SLC. But during the last eight months the cricket has gone down and the stakeholders expected us to come up with a team to revive cricket.

“The majority of the members are supporting us and we are very confident of winning 96 plus seats out of the total voting strength of 147. I have been assured of this figure by the membership. We have spoken to them and they have assured us of their mandate,” he said.

Having been in cricket administration for quite a while Ranatunga said that he thought it was the right time for him to come forward to contest the post as president.

“Consideting my experience in the cricket arena I thought it was the right time. I have done enough for the game to get elected to that position,” Ranatunga said.

“People will analyse what we have done during the last few years. We have improved the revenue by 600 percent, our cricket has been taken to the highest level and during my term as secretary we have won one World Cup, been runner-up in two World Cups, beaten all the countries in their own soil and our cricket has gone to the top three positions in all three formats,” he said.

“Administratively we have good systems and procedures in place for Sri Lanka Cricket which shows the efficiency of its management.”

Ranatunga said that they have come up with a plan to develop school and club cricket which is the pinnacle of our cricket and a long term plan for district cricket.

He said that his elder brother Arjuna Ranatunga who is the Minister of Ports and Shipping coming forward to contest for one of the vice-presidency posts would strengthen them.

“More than the voting his presence will help Sri Lanka cricket. With his cricketing knowledge and commitment for cricket I am sure that will help us a lot.”

Ranatunga stated that he had no personal problems with the players although there were some misunderstandings.

“Some of them didn’t agree with the decisions we took. We never took individual decisions but did it with the best interest of Sri Lanka cricket and to look after the interest of the stake holders,” said Ranatunga.

“The finger was pointed at me because I was the person who communicated the decisions and as secretary that was part of my job.”

—–*****

NOMINATIONS FOR SRI LANKA CRICKET ELECTIONS

President (1 post)

Sumith Perera, Thilanga Sumathipala, Jayantha Dharmadasa, Nishantha Ranatunga.

Vice Presidents (2 posts)

Jayantha Dharmadasa, K Mathivanan, Shammi Silva, Asanga Seneviratne, Arjuna Ranatunga.

Secretary (1 post)

Mohan de Silva, Hirantha Perera

Assistant Secretary (1 post)

Ravin Wickremaratne, Nilantha Ratnayake

Treasurer (1 post)

Shammi Silva, Easman Narangoda

Assistant Treasurer (1 post)

Lalith Rambukwella, Aruna de Silva, Sujeewa Lokuhewa, Nihal Lewke

Sponsorship Committee (5 posts)

Matheesha Dharmasiri, Suresh Murugesar, Thushan Amarasuriya, LDA Weerasinghe, MH Jamaldeen, Sarath Abeysundara, Uvais Samsudeen, Roland Perera, TACD Silva

Tour Organising Committee (5 posts)

AHTWK Ariyawickrema, J Jayaweera, PHU Imalsha, Nimal Ekanayake, HA Ali, V Pradeepan, JHR Fernando, Chrishantha Kapuwatte, SKUR Seneviratne, OJ Pereira, DC Mahawattage, APSP de Vaas Gunawardena, MT Ajuman, Roshan Idamalgoda, CPL Gunawardena, A Hussain Ghany, Ashroff Ghany.

Tournament Committee (5 posts)

AA Wijaya de Silva, Bandula Dissanayake, Shammi Gunasekera, AMP de Alwis, Kasun Fernando, Marlon Fernandopulle, Manoja Kariyapperuma, WS Benito Abeysekera, Rizwan Badurdeen.

Umpires Committee (5 posts)

Mohamed Rafeel, Rupenath Wickremaratne, Wasanthalal Fernando, Lal Ranasinghe, AAW de Silva, Abu Siddeek, Deepal Madurapperuma, RM Rahman, Ishak Sahabdeen, Sanjaya Attanayake, Ashley Ratnayake, Saman Hewawitharana.

While Sumathipala is contesting for the post of president, Dharmadasa is contesting for one of the two vice-presidency slots. K Mathivanan, a former vice-president is contesting again for the same post.

Mohan de Silva (secretary), Shammi Silva (treasurer) and Ravin Wickramaratne (assistant secretary) are the others contesting for positions.

The post of assistant treasurer is to be filled later.

Chairing a media conference at the SSC pavilion yesterday to announce their nominations for the elections Sumathipala and his team revealed a six-point plan they hope to implement if they are elected to office on January 4. Nominations close today.

Spelling out the plan Sumathipala, a three-time former president of SLC and presently deputy speaker of Parliament said that they had categorised six main pillars which they hope to transform Sri Lanka Cricket:

International Cricket
Domestic Cricket
Development
Administration
Finance, and
Communication

“It is a four-year plan which we hope to implement and complete by 2020. Sri Lanka Cricket needs a big transformation and we have come in partnership so that cricket will be the ultimate beneficiary,” said Sumathipala. “We have a very good team and we have a quality team of people that includes three past presidents in Jayantha Dharmadasa, Mohan de Silva and myself along with people who have served Sri Lanka cricket in the past.

Sumathipala stated that he plans to have a strong financial advisory committee with a number of reputed qualified people and hopes to use the experience of Nuski Mohamed, a past secretary and treasurer to head this committee.

He also revealed that they were bringing in Thushan Amarasuriya, son of former SLC interim chairman Hemaka Amarasuriya as a member of the sponsorship committee. “Thushan is a former cricket captain of Royal College and is presently the treasurer of MCA. He comes from good stock,” said Sumathipala.

The former president said that two former Sri Lanka captains Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara would be given big roles to play.

“They are two of the most recent players involved in the current trend of international cricket. We should make maximum use of their experience and expertise in this field,” Sumathipala said.

Stating reasons for coming forward to contest the elections Sumathipala stated, “First and foremost there is an interim regime at the moment. Time and time again there have been allegations against various people at various times for the past 20 years and for about 8-9 years Sri Lanka Cricket has been run by interim committees and democratically elected bodies have come in.

“When the membership approached me and wanted me to come and put the house in order, I spoke to the people who mattered and important for the game. When I discussed with the people especially past presidents and administrators, past cricketers and stake holders they wanted me to lead this side and assured me they would give me the support to put the house in order. That’s why I decided to hand over my nominations today.”

Twice before Sumathipala had tried to contest the presidency of Sri Lanka Cricket and failed.

“Once former president Mahinda Rajapaksa asked me not to contest at the eleventh hour so I did not give my nominations,” said Sumathipala.

“The other occasion when I wanted to contest they said my wife was involved with a sports good company. However she resigned but her resignation stamp duty was accepted two days after I had given my nomination.

“They used that technical point and refused me permission to contest during Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage’s time. You can very clearly see they have taken a very thin line to stop me from contesting. I don’t think it was a valid reason and a reason was not given,” he said.

Sumathipala said that he had the blessings of President Maithripala Sirisena to come forward and contest the election for the SLC presidency and that he had no issues related to the gambling industry as he has a letter from the ICC clearing him of any misdemeanor.