Sri Lanka Cricket Interim Committee led by Sidath Weetimuny shared the progress on cricket administration at a media briefing held at Maitland Place on Monday evening.
The chairman started off talking about the recent arrivals of international coaches, Jonty Rhodes and Michael Main. “Jonty conducted a very successful 10-day coaching program to our national team, A team, development squad, under 19 team and to all our coaches. We believe periodically, our coaches must also get a little more knowledge and a wider exposure. We are hoping to continue this in the course of the year. Micheal Main joined us from 1st of June to handle our fitness and conditioning. “
Mr. Sidath Wettimuny informed about the efforts of Kumar Dharmasena to share his experiences with the local umpires, “I am pleased to inform you that Kumar Dharmasena conducted a very fruitful session with our premier umpires and I have asked him to continue this three of four times again. This will help the local umpires to go to the next level.”
The two-month old Interim Committee unveiled their vision plan which has been initiated by the guidance of Vice-president Mr. Kushil Gunasekara.
1. Priority for the 2016 T20 World Cup preparations.
2. Priority for the 2019 ODI World Cup preparations.
3. Priority for the 2016 and 2018 under 19 World Cup preparations.
4. High Performance Centre improvements at the R. Premadasa International Stadium.
5. Elevation of professional coaching standards.
6. Upgrading professional umpiring standards.
7. Improvement of Schools Cricket development initiatives.
8. Indoor Cricket Nets at Test venues.
9. Domestic Cricket qualitative development ideas
10. Plan to develop emerging cricketers island-wide.
11. Better compensation for professional club cricketers.
12. Efficient administrative management systems at SLC.
13. Supporting stakeholder clubs to sustain higher standards.
14. Professional Plan to manage and sustain Test venues
15. Making SLC profitable by good governance.
Mr. Sidath Wettimuny and treasurer Lucille Wijewardene heavily stressed that they have cut down on unwanted costs at SLC and made aware to the media on their financial status, “When we took over, we had an overdraft of SL rupees 285 million but now it has been settled. We now have a SL Rupees 190 million Treasury bill deposited and one million US Dollars deposited. Hopefully by the end of this month ICC will release 2.3 million US Dollars. I can say currently Sri Lanka Cricket is having a surplus in finances.
According to Mr. Kushil Gunasekara, we can save about 25 million from the upcoming Pakistan tour of Sri Lanka as well. “
The Interim Committee Chairman also laid out his plans on the proposed indoor and swimming pool facilities at R. Premadasa Stadium, “We are currently doing the soil test and I can guarantee you that foundation stone will be laid on 2nd of July and hopefully we can finish the work before the end of this year. We definitely need these facilities for our players. It is a must. “
Many first-class cricketers have been accustomed to leave Sri Lanka and play cricket at foreign land due to the lack of pay but the current administrators have found a solution for this. “ We have brought down the number of contracted players to 41 from 108 and increased our club cricketers salary budget to 130 million rupees from 96 million. The players can make a living from cricket in the future. A first-class cricketer can earn around 600,000 rupees per annum and 210 first-class players will enjoy this increment of match-fees but they will have to play to earn well as they won’t just get money by just signing a contract. This money will be distributed to the players through a proper mechanism. “stated Wettimuny.
“There is no structural change to our domestic league. We are discussing on how we can rebrand the next tournament above the Premier league, probably like Super Premier League. A first-class cricketer taking part in this tournament will add another 200,000 and earn approximately 800,000 Sri Lankan Rupees, which is a 300% increase.” Mr. Wettimuny further stated.
