da brdice： Three Sri Lankan selectors handed over their resignation to the SportsMinister Johnstone Fernando on Friday following the selection debacle thatpreceded the second Janashakthi National Test in Kandy
CricInfo05-Jan-2002Three Sri Lankan selectors handed over their resignation to the SportsMinister Johnstone Fernando on Friday following the selection debacle thatpreceded the second Janashakthi National Test in Kandy.The five-man panel caused a furor in the Sri Lankan team when they announcedthat vice-captain Marvan Atapattu and fast bowler Charitha Fernando would berested for the game so that two youngsters could be given an opportunity togain experience.The team management, who were not properly consulted over the issue,complained that with the series not yet won the time was not ripe forexperimentation. With their requests for the selectors to change their mindfalling on deaf ears, they turned to the Sports Minister, who eventuallyoverruled the selectors, who are accountable to the ministry.The three to hand over their resignation included former Test cricketersKapila Wijegunawardene, Brendon Kurrupu, and Amal Silva. All three hadstubbornly refused to accede the team management’s request on Thursday nightfor a rethink.The remaining two members, Chairman Tikiri Banda Khelgamuwa, a former Ceylonfast bowler with a controversial bowling action, and K.A. Nelson, a formerclub cricketer, have not handed in their resignation.There has been no confirmation from the ministry as to whether theirresignations have been accepted or indication as to whether Khelgamuwa andNelson will also be asked to stand down.