SLC in dire straits after hosting WC
Plagued by financial constraints post the World Cup, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has sought help from the government and country’s state banks to meet the huge expenses incurred during the quadrennial extravaganza, according to a report.
Plagued by financial constraints post the World Cup, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has sought help from the government and country’s state banks to meet the huge expenses incurred during the quadrennial extravaganza, according to a report.
SLC treasurer Sujeewa Rajapakse was of the view that unlike India and Bangladesh, Sri Lanka had to work on its venues from scratch.
Rajapakse confirmed that the richest sports body in the country has sought grant from the government and the banks.
Sri Lanka, along with India and Bangladesh, was the co-hosts of the 2011 World Cup.
The initial cost for the building of the new venue in President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s hometown, Hambantota, and renovating other two venues in Colombo and Kandy was estimated at 3.5bn Sri Lanka rupees (approximately R 14 crore).
By the end of the construction, though, the cost had exceeded the said amount. The ‘Daily Mirror’ recently said that the government had agreed to help SLC with a grant of 325 million Lankan rupees. The newspaper also reported that the board is also struggling to pay salaries of workers as a result of the debt.
While SLC has already held a few rounds of discussions with the government and the sports minister on how to settle the crisis, the ICC, according to ‘BBC Sinhala’, said venue construction is a matter of the host board. “There is a hosting fee based on the number of matches that a particular member stages. We do not discuss the details of that agreement,” an ICC spokesman said.
Tharanga tests positive: ICC
The ICC has informed Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) that opener Upul Tharanga has failed the test for a banned substance.
According to a media release issued by SLC, his urine sample had been taken on March 29 after World Cup semi-final clash against New Zealand.
The ICC has said that disciplinary action had been initiated against Tharanga.
The SLC said that as a result Tharanga would not be selected for this month’s ODI series agsinst England or Sri Lanka ‘A’ team tour of England.
Sources in SLC said veteran Sanath Jayasuriya at 42 is likely to be picked in Tharanga's place. Jayasuriya, has been practising hard.
Meanwhile, Jayasuriya said that he is fit to play international cricket. “Definitely I want to play for my country. That is why I have not announced retirement from One-day cricket till date. To play for Sri Lanka has always been my priority,” Jayasuriya said.
“If any such offer comes my way, I would like to grab it for sure,” the former captain added.
Jayasuriya, who had announced retirement from Tests in 2007 and played his last ODI in December 2009 against India, believed the break would not affect his form and fitness.
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