Sports Minister defends lackluster SL cricketers

The Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara expressed his views when questioned on the dire situation the Sri Lankan cricket team has fallen to stating that, in his belief there is no better side the SLC can currently field as the Test team for Sri Lanka. 

The sports Minister stated that he had held discussions with the players and management of the team yesterday (15) to determine a permanent solution to avoid a repetition of the series of bad performances over the past year. He also stated that he had requested the SLC to submit a detailed report of all the managerial decisions taken on player and coach selection. 

Minister Jayasekara also stated that he sees no immediate need to head hunt for new players as in his view, several players who were performing at a much higher level have declined. He also stated that according to his findings there is no better team that the SLC could filed as the first team for Sri Lanka. 

He further went on to state that a special psychiatrist will be employed to help understand the mental decline of the high-performing players to help them rediscover their previous form. The Minister also stated that it is unfair to judge the players on recent results as India is currently one of the strongest sides in the world.  

When questioned on the recent allegations made by the Minister of Petroleum Resources Development Arjuna Ranatunga that the team is influenced by certain political agendas, he stated that for the first time after the election of the new government there was an election for the post of the head of the SLC which Minister Ranatunga lost. He stated that if he seeks a resolution he should request for another election to be held. 

The Minister also addressed concerns that there is no stability in the coaching staff of the team. Questions were raised as to why there were several coaching changes in a short period of time. He replied by stating that ideally a coaching team should be established for an extended period of time where they will be allowed to nurture a team. He stated that in the report that is to be submitted by the SLC he will hope to find out a reason for the regular changes. 

The Minister also stated that he prefers to limit his involvement as a politician as he does not want to tarnish the team with allegations of increased political involvement. He further stated that past captains have also been consulted but an immediate resolution will be arrived at through continued discourse with the players and management.