SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala has no intentions of resigning till the 2019 World Cup

Sri Lankan Cricket has had very little to cheer about in the past few months. Starting from corruption charges, match-fixing allegations, resignations of important personnel, selection debacles to the 3-0 drubbing that the team had to face at the hands of India in a home Test Series, the team as well as the governing body has drawn flak from fans and critics alike.

Amidst all the chaos, the Lankan Cricket President, Thilanga Sumathipala has made it clear that he has no intentions of stepping down before the 2019 World Cup.

With the Lankan Cricket Board coming under heavy fire from all quarters, there has been a constant furor about bad management. Former captain of Sri Lanka, Arjuna Ranatunga slammed Sumathipala recently and demanded his immediate resignation. In response to a journalist’s question about hanging the boots to take up a position at the ICC, Chairman Sumathipala made his stance clear.

Ranatunga blames management for Sri Lanka’s downfall

Very recently, former World Cup-winning captain and current Minister of Petroleum for Sri Lanka, Arjuna Ranatunga expressed his disdain towards the existing management quite vocally. He said, “Sri Lanka Cricket is going through the worst period, you can’t blame only the players, they are demoralised. It is the fault of the management. The Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket should resign from his post.”

Sumathipala has no plans to step down

Although the Chairman chose to keep mum on Ranatunga’s accusations, he did answer them indirectly as he replied to a journalist, who asked whether he had any intention to take up a position at ICC.

Sumathipala said, “I can stay in my post until next year (Before the next election) and for at least another 3 years, I have no intention in going for a post at ICC. During the ICC discussions, they seek my counsel and expertise more often due to my experience and seniority so there were suggestions for me to go for a higher post at ICC. I will not leave my responsibilities or resign from Sri Lanka Cricket until 2019 World Cup.”