Selection Committee led by Jayasuriya, tender resignation -- Malinga takes over One-dayer captaincy ---- Dayasiri tells Arjuna to handle Sports Ministership

Selection Committee led by Jayasuriya, tender resignation -- Malinga takes over One-dayer captaincy ---- Dayasiri tells Arjuna to handle Sports Ministership

The Chairman and all members of Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee handed over their resignation papers today (29). Sanath Jayasuriya, Asanka Gurusingha, Romesh Kaluvitharana, Eric Upashantha and Ranjith Madurasingha are those who tendered their resignation to Minister of Sports, Mr. Dayasiri Jayasekera stating that they would be relinquishing their posts in another week's time.

Registering constant defeats at a stretch and because of the slump displayed in all aspects of the game

coming under criticism has been the reason for this resignation, it is supposed. According to that letter, their removal would come into effect on September 7th.

In the meantime, various changes have been brought about in the face of Sri Lanka Cricket defeats as their newly appointed captain Kapugedera has been subjected to a spine injury and therefore he would not be available to play under those conditions and Lasith Malinga would operate as the captain of the Sri Lanka Cricket team. As such, he would be captaining the next two One-dayers scheduled to be played with India.

In the meantime at the cabinet meeting convened today (29), a heated exchange of words is supposed to have ensued between former Test Captain, Minister Arjuna Ranatunga and Sports Minister Mr. Dayasiri Jayasekera, it is reported. The situation has cropped up when Arjuna criticised the cabinet paper calling for tenders for the artificial track of Sugathadasa National Playground.

"This gentleman always reprimands saying 'bookmaker ... bookmaker'. When together ... good' ... now not good".

"Hon. President ... it's seen from the Minister's words that there are bookmakers in the game of Cricket! He accepts that there are bookmakers".

"This gentleman played Cricket in Port ... plays Cricket in Petroleum also".

"I play Cricket every day ... play Cricket wherever I go. I have Cricket in my body ... Cricket is my life. If some harm is done to Cricket ... I speak out!"

"In that case you change the ministry".

"No ... there's no necessity to change ministries. If the Sports Ministry is given together with the present ministry I now handle ... I'll accept it".

This exchange of words came to a closure with the mediation of the President.