Sri Lanka all-rounder Thisara Perera seeks SLC chief’s help against allegations

It is said that when the team starts losing, everything else also falls apart. The same is being seen to be true with Sri Lanka. The former world champions are in the middle of a lean phase in their cricketing history, even getting whacked by opponents at home. And now, after the Islanders have been hammered by Australia in the first of the two-game series in Brisbane a few days ago, the daggers have started coming out.

All-rounder Thisara Perera has recently shot a letter to the CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Ashley De Silva expressing his concern both for the country’s cricket as well as himself as a senior player. The letter was written in response to several posts made on the social media that were directed at the 29-year-old.

He denied allegations that he was running after high-ranking officials and ministers to save his place in the national side, adding that he always honoured the selection process of the country’s cricket board and never raised any question. Perera is currently playing for Comilla Victorians in the Bangladesh Premier League. His last international engagement was in the limited-over series in New Zealand.

According to a report in Sri Lanka’s News First, Perera wrote in his letter that charges that were brought against him would make it hard to stop people from believing and it will lead to further slandering. He also mentioned in the letter that general mood in the team’s dressing room is uneasy, especially for the junior players, especially when two senior members are not on the same page. He also said that the posts created against him were to shake his confidence.

Months before WC, SL need to focus on performance, says Perera

“We are at the verge of a World Cup. Our focus and attention should be on performing well instead of bickering over social media on pointless issues. We need to go forward as a unit and not as a team of factions. The leadership and seniors of the team must set an example for this,” Perera wrote, urging the board CEO to intervene and also assured his own availability in case an inquiry is deemed necessary.

The second Test between Australia and Sri Lanka starts at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on February 1.

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