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Mahinda stumps colleagues
Saturday, 1 July 2006 - 4:15 AM SL Time
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President Mahinda Rajapakse has prohibited any ruling party member from contesting the forthcoming Cricket Board presidency.
The elections are scheduled to take place on July 15. Well informed sources said that Rajapakse directed that UPFA members would not be allowed to join the fray.
Sports Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga is believed to have welcomed the President`s decision. Kumaratunga openly clashed with Deputy Minister Sripathy Sooriyaarachchi over the latter`s decision to contest the incumbent Sri Lanka Cricket Chief Jayantha Dharmadasa who heads the interim administration.
Kumaratunga continues to back Dharmadasa, accused by the opposing camp of wasting SLC funds to strengthen his position ahead of the elections called by Kumaratunga.
In the backdrop of Kumaratunga`s dismissal of Sripathy`s nomination, Dharmadasa`s opponents sought to field Tourism Minister Anura Bandaranaike. The SLFP heavyweight is believed to have actively considered the proposal. Speculation is rife that this was discussed at a wedding reception at a five star hotel when Bandaranaike met former SLC Chief Tilanga Sumathipala, who leads the anti-Dharmadasa group.
Political sources said that the President`s decision would greatly strengthen Dharmadasa`s bid to win the presidency. The absence of a politician to contest the incumbent SLC Chief would undermine Sumathipala`s bid, the sources said.
UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake last year proposed that politicians should not be allowed to head sports bodies. This triggered protests with former national cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga making a strong case for their (politicians) right to head sports bodies.
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vimukth
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 48
Member Profile
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1 Jul 2006 04:56:49 GMT Report for Abuse
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| Hats off to President.....Keep it up, be firm on these MPs and Ministers like Premadasa.....They have enough and more to do better things .... |
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