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| Sunday, 10 July 2005 |
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Straight talk by Lal Gunesekera Air Force timing of soccer player's arrest must be condemned! A deserter from the armed forces could be arrested any time to face a court marshall and possibly a jail sentence too. This is inevitable, but for a person to be taken into custody at a sporting event, and this too in front of hundreds of spectators, should be condemned. This was exactly what transpired during an FA Cup match between the Air Force and Wennappuwa's New Youngs. Armed Air Force personnel were seen before the game could start and additional personnel were brought in later. The goal-keeper of New Youngs, Damith Dayawansa, was guilty of deserting the Air Force some years back. He is certainly guilty of this offence, but the manner in the way he was "taken in" has to be condemned. Dayawansa was injured during the game and when taken away from the playing area for medical attention, saw the armed Air Force personnel surrounding him. A fight erupted with even the Police trying to intervene. In the end, Dayawansa, was taken into Police custody and later handed over to the Air Force. He is now languishing in jail. Damith Dayawansa's brother, Saman, was the goal-keeper of the Air Force side, and even Air Force personnel had visited the Dayawansa residence previously to arrest Damith, but he was absconding. They were successful in apprehending him only at the match. A lot of money is spent by the government on the training of service personnel and they have an obligation on the part of the country. Desertion under whatever circumstances is unthinkable. There are thousands of deserters from the security forces roaming round the country. Some are even hand in glove with underworld characters involved in robberies, murders etc. They are criminals, and must be arrested and brought to justice. But to arrest a culprit at a sporting event is not a proper way. Ones dignity, though he or she is a criminal, must be upheld. Rs. 50 lakhs from FFSL The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) are to develop the Kadolkelle grounds at Negombo very soon at a cost of Rs. 50 lakhs from the tsunami funds. Discussions between the FFSL and the Negombo Municipal Council (NMC) authorities are going on at the moment, and I am made to understand that a committee is to be appointed to run the affairs at the re-developed grounds. Earlier, Jupiters, had signed an agreement with the NMC to manage the affairs of the Kadolkelle grounds, but at a meeting of the NMC recently, it was decided that they should now sign a fresh agreement with the FFSL, and for both Jupiters and Negombo Youth given their own offices within this complex. I also understand that Badulla are to get a stadium built upto international standards, which will include a gymnasium and other facilities etc at a cost of Rs. 30 million courtesy FFSL, and that the Municipal authorities are to release the old soccer grounds to the FFSL for this purpose. Cricket stadium for Anuradhapura The National Development Committee (NDC) of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Interim Committee had visited Anuradhapura recently and are to construct a stadium for the benefit of the sport in the region. The location that has been identified is the Samadi grounds (3 km away from the perimeters of Anuradhapura) which comes under the purview of the Anuradhapura District CA. Another location that was considered was the municipal grounds, but this has been defaced by massive constructions and the upgrading of this ground is beyond reality. Why the delay? Why is the delay by the Mercantile Cricket Association (MCA) to reach a decision on the complaint lodged to its Tournament Committee by Seylan Bank that Gangodawila who represented Nawaloka in the Mercantile 'B' Division final on May 7 (over two months now) was also employed by Cricket-Aid? The Tournament Committee met and submitted their report to the Disciplinary Committee, which I understand have met twice, with even the Personnel Manager of Nawaloka been questioned. Adel Hashim, President of MCA, who is also a member of the Interim Committee of SLC, says that the Executive Committee of the MCA will have to take a final decision on this matter. What I would like to ask the MCA is why they are dragging their feet on this serious allegation? This type of "delayed action" on the part of the MCA were never heard of in the "good old days" during the tenures of people like the late Vasantha Coomaraswamy, Kelly Mahendra, the late Douglas Gunaratne, Shelley Wickremasinghe, Upali Mahanama, Sriyan de Silva, Mumtaz Yusuf and even Tyronne de Silva to name a few. Immediate decisions were arrived at and accepted by the membership. I know this for certain, as I too was even a committee member at one stage. I also understand that the Media and Publicity Co-ordinator of the MCA, Tyronne Perera, who is virtually the Tournament Secretary, is been harassed by certain members of the MCA hierarchy for reasons best known to them. It looks as if the MCA has been struck by the same plague that has hit the SLC. Two other employees face the same problem. Persona non-grata The mother of a former national women's champion of a racquet sport has been made persona non-grata at the headquarters of this sport. The security officials have been told not to permit her entry into the premises. I wonder what the reasons are for this high handed act and also whether the committee has approve of it and who took this decision? This former champion was also a paid coach of this racquet body, but since of late, quit as a full time coach, but continues on a part time basis. RCGC taken to courts The Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC) which is over 125 years old, has been situated at Model Farm Road in Borella for over a century. Since of late, certain neighbours have lodged complaints to the Borella Police that their property, including vehicles, have been damaged with golf balls invading their premises. A couple of weeks back, the RCGC, were taken to court with the Colombo Additional Magistrate requesting the RCGC and its General Manager, Chula de Silva, who was present, to settle the issue. The GM has requested one month's time to take necessary preventive action and undertook to build a 60 foot high fence to prevent golf balls from invading the premises of its neighbours. The court was to be kept informed about this preventive measure when it meets next on July 28. Up for grabs The vehicles used by certain employees of SLC who are no longer in their employment is up for grabs, with many staking their claims which have been hired on lease. The contracts of the Sri Lankan cricketers have not yet been renewed since they expired during Sri Lanka's tour of New Zealand earlier this year. I understand that the legal aspects are been worked out. Premasara Epasinghe is the latest casualty at SLC. A media personality, who was employed at the SLC, but has tendered his resignation. The witch hunt continues. |
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