SLC overstaffed?
SLC overstaffed?
- Monthly combined salaries of over Rs. 57 million
- Number of staff increased five fold since Sri Lanka won the World Cup in 1996
- Some staff members hold voting rights as members of clubs, but SLC says preventive measures taken at ensure they are not involved in voting or AGMs
By Amindha de Alwis
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) stated that their existing staffing levels, which amount to 185 employees on their payroll, is justified given their continuing growth.
A public perception exists that SLC is over-staffed beyond requirements, and the Dailymirror sought both sides of the story regarding the matter.
As of December 2022, SLC had 185 staff on its payroll, with their combined salaries exceeding Rs. 57 million; the number of staff employed being close to five times the number as when Sri Lanka won the World Cup in 1996.
Secretary of SLC Mohan de Silva commented that the number in employment was justified, citing that the game has progressed significantly with much more women’s and junior cricket, for instance, being played in the island.
He detailed the number of matches to be held in 2023 across Major Club tournaments, the Governor’s Trophy, Women’s tournaments, as well as Inter-Provincial and Youth Tournaments, showing a marked increase in games when compared to four years back. He added that the National Super League and Lanka Premier League were also introduced recently.
In terms of finances, de Silva stated that their accounts are audited by the Auditor General and that SLC has seen a sharp growth in revenue in recent years, recording revenue levels of Rs. 17.5 billion last year and Rs. 7.9 billion in 2021. Revenue in the preceding years of 2020 and 2019 read Rs. 4.1 billion and Rs. 4.4 billion, respectively.
“Compared to the number of employees around 2011-2013, there has been an increase in numbers. I acknowledge the fact. But the fact is, we have expanded. We have grown financially, and we are playing more tournaments now,” de Silva said.
De Silva also touched upon the success of the Lanka Premier League as part of that growth.
“We realised the importance of playing league cricket to improve our standards and keep pace with the rest of the world. In the height of the pandemic, we were lucky to stage this event, thanks to the blessings of the then government and the Sports Minister.”
"Not only did we provide opportunities for our young and emerging players to improve their skills and standards, we were able to identify a lot of new talent, and also, we were successful in running it profitably. We made almost 1 million dollars in revenue in the first year,” he commented.
However, De Silva did concede that SLC may be over-staffed when compared to other cricket boards around the world.
“Compared to some of the other countries, we may be over-staffed, but Sri Lanka and our admin structure is different. It differs from a state model such as Australia. Sri Lanka is a small country operating from head office and supports the provinces and districts under us with the minimum staff,” he said.
On the other hand, a top sports official alleged that many of the staff employed are voters or connected to voters at SLC elections.
He drew into question how many of these individuals came through a standard recruitment process, particularly at provincial and district levels, expressing that the numbers employed were far beyond what they were.
When questioned on if employees with voting rights are present among the 185 names listed under their payroll, de Silva acknowledged that some are members of clubs but that SLC does take preventive measures to ensure that they are not involved in the voting process and never entertained at AGMs.
CEO of SLC Ashley de Silva did not put forward any comments regarding the matter.
While the growth of the game cannot be disputed, it is contested whether there exists a requirement for as many general administrative staff as currently present, as opposed to a situation where the bulk of new staff are those connected with enhancing the technical aspect of the game.
Kusal Perera, Dushmantha Chameera available for NZ tour selection
Kusal Perera, Dushmantha Chameera available for NZ tour selection
Professor Arjuna de Silva
Kusal Perera
Dushmantha Chameera
- SLC medical panel chairman Prof. Arjuna de Silva gives green light
- Madushanka, Bandara, Vandersay doubtful
- Squad to NZ to undergo routine fitness test
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
Two of Sri Lanka’s experienced and explosive white ball cricketers, batsman Kusal Janith Perera (better known by his initials as KJP) and fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera have been given the green-light to be available for selection for the tour to New Zealand in March.
Chairman of the medical panel of Sri Lanka Cricket Prof. Arjuna de Silva said that both players underwent operations successfully and they are back at training.
“Both are okay and they are almost back to normal,” said Prof de Silva.
“Kusal is going to play one of the matches in the NSL (National Super League). If he is fit and in form, he will go. Chameera will not play in the NSL. He is back at training for almost 2-3 weeks. He will most likely go for the New Zealand tour but only to play T20I. l don’t think he will be able to play ODIs.”
KJP had a recurrent right shoulder injury that needed surgery and Chameera had an old ankle injury where surgery was needed. He was to undergo surgery after the T20 World Cup, but prior to the start of the T20 World Cup Super12s he suffered a calf injury and was ruled out of the tournament, which saw him going ahead with the operation on his ankle.
Perera has been out of competitive cricket for more than a year since December 2021. As much as Sri Lanka will be keen to have him back, especially with his explosive batting at the top of the order, Perera will need to get back to match fitness and form as quickly as possible to get the nod from the selectors for New Zealand.
Three other Sri Lankan cricketers who are on the injury list and recovering are talented left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka, Ashen Bandara, one of the best outfielders in cricket today and leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay.
Madushanka dislocated his right shoulder while trying to make a stop in the field during the first ODI against India at Guwahati. Thankfully, it was not his bowling arm. He is currently under treatment.
Bandara and Vandersay collided on the field during the third ODI at Thiruvananthapuram and both were stretchered off the field.
“Their injuries are not serious,” said Prof de Silva.
“Vandersay had concussion and both players had knee ligament injuries and bone bruises. They will be out for about 6-8 weeks.”
“None of these injuries are related to physical fitness. I wouldn’t say the injuries are due to bad conduct. All those guys who were injured were fairly fit.”
Prof. de Silva said that before the national team goes to New Zealand the players will have to undergo the routine fitness test like the two kilometres run, skinfold, 40 metre sprint and a few other tests totalling about five.
The last fitness test was done before the Asia Cup in August and there was no gap between the Asia Cup till now as Sri Lanka were involved in the T20 World Cup, and bilateral series against Afghanistan and India.
“The fitness tests have to be done twice a year, it’s important. We have to create a window to do that. It’s not practical to do it before every tour unless you are injured and coming back, then it differs. Doing tests twice a year is more than enough. The tests are similar to those conducted by other countries,” said Prof. de Silva.
Dulla’s insatiable appetite for excellence
Dulla’s insatiable appetite for excellence
by Rex Clementine
Most cricketers reaching 70 these days prefer the comforts of their homes, their holiday spots or spending time with their kids looking after their grandchildren. Even before reaching 70, Ian Botham is tasting wine and relaxing in Ravensworth in Yorkshire. Viv Richards is in Antigua sipping rum while Imran Khan is contemplating his political future. They have got nothing to do with cricket and even the other septuagenarians who have some interest in cricket like Sunil Gavaskar or Michael Holding, they prefer the air conditioned comforts of the commentary box. Only those who have the insatiable appetite for excellence in cricket take up coaching at the age of 70. They are a different breed. Duleep Mendis belongs to that category. In fact when it comes to cricket, he’s a different beast. He leaves nothing for chance, isn’t afraid to tread on the roads less travelled and moves about with a single-mindedness as if history is there to be created.
Duleep’s association with Oman cricket had not only seen the emergence of a new regional powerhouse of the sport but a cricketing nation that’s ever improving and increasing its stakes in big events. From a little known entity in world cricket, under Duleep, Oman have gone onto receive T20 and ODI International status. The country also had qualified for the ICC T20 World Cup and earlier this week reached the qualifiers of this year’s 50 overs World Cup which will be played in Zimbabwe.
Cricket has been Duleep’s life and in the last 50 years he has been in the limelight first as a player, having played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s journey to Test status and then skippered the nation for their inaugural Test win. Post playing career he dedicated another 20 years for the game as coach, manager and Chairman of Selectors and his contributions were vital during every milestone of our cricket.
A lot of people think that what makes Dulla special is his ability to put people in their places. While that maybe true, his speciality is his ability to read the game. He is also not afraid to make tough decisions and his single-mindedness has often helped Sri Lankan teams to come out of tricky situations.
The Sri Lankan team benefited immensely during his direct involvement with the them for two decades and it is these expertise that is helping Oman currently on their march towards being a strong cricket force. What Duleep has achieved in such a short span has marveled everyone for Arabs are not much into cricket in Oman and it’s the Indian and Pakistani communities employed in Oman that is keeping cricket at a good standard.
Duleep during his Sri Lanka days was at one point dragged out of the national team and was handed bigger responsibilities. As Director Cricket Operations he took the game to grassroots and currently if outstations are feeding more players to the national team than established centers like Colombo, Kandy and Galle it is due to Duleep’s visionary thinking in putting up practice facilities, providing turf wickets and investing on provincial and district coaches.
It is as CEO, Duleep dazzled most. That he was the head of the board never occurred to him. He mingled with all employees of the board without maintaining distance and that’s why he’s popular even to this date. That doesn’t mean that he tried to please everyone. Sometimes he warned his elected bosses of consequences of certain ill advised decisions. He was firm during certain pay disputes and encouraged mechanisms to look after retired players although they never bore fruit due to some men with vested interests. Duleep could be ruthless when it came to negotiations. The South Africans were in town in 2006 and were hammered in the Test series. This was the same series where Sanga and MJ put on the World Record partnership. A few days later there was a bomb blast half a kilometer from the team hotel and the South Africans wanted to go home without playing the limited overs leg.
The CEO, the Board President and the IGP Chandra Fernando met the South African team management at the Cinnamon Grand. Even after being offered security provided to heads of states, the tourists didn’t change their stance. They wanted to go home. Duleep warned the South Africans of dire consequences. With the series called off, the press asked the Board President for a comment. He played it down diplomatically. But Duleep didn’t mince his words. He said, ‘I have a headline for you.’ So what was the headline ‘Proteas chicken-out’.
PSL 2023: Gladiators to miss Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga
PSL 2023: Gladiators to miss Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga
Karachi: Experienced Sri Lankan cricketer Wanindu Hasaranga is set to miss the 8th edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) due to the non-issuance of NOC from his home board.
Hasaranga was drafted by Quetta Gladiators for PSL 2023 in the platinum category and the franchise was expecting his arrival by Monday.
However, the 25-year-old could not get the required NOC from Sri Lanka Cricket to travel to Pakistan and participate in the league.
He is currently busy playing first-class cricket in Sri Lanka.
An official of Gladiators confirmed to Geo News that they are aware of Hasaranga’s unavailability and are exploring various options, including a replacement player.
A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) source said that they have updated the franchise on the matter but was hoping the situation would be changed but it seems unlikely now that the Sri Lankan player will be able to make it to the PSL.
Prior to Hasaranga, Sri Lanka Cricket had also refused NOC to Kusal Mendis who was drafted by Lahore Qalandars. Lahore Qalandars had then opted for Shai Hope as a replacement for Kusal.
However, Bhanuka Rajapaks was permitted to participate in the league, and he is currently in Pakistan playing for Peshawar Zalmi.
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