Warnaweera meets his Waterloo

Warnaweera

The once powerful strongman of cricket in the south Jayananda Warnaweera appears to have met his end and in all probability has bowed out from the field after being suspended by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) following his failure to co-orporate with the Anti Corruption Unit of the International Cricket Council (ICC) that investigates match-fixing among other misdeeds.

"Following disciplinary proceedings duly taken by Sri Lanka Cricket arising from charges that Mr.Jayananda Warnaweera failed to attend two interviews scheduled to be held by the Anti-Corruption Unit of the ICC and failed to co-operate with and assist the investigation being carried out by the Anti-Corruption Unit and related charges of his conduct, the Interim Committee of SLC has, acting in terms of the Constitution of SLC, suspended Mr. Warnaweera from cricket, cricket management and representation for a period of two years", SLC said in a revealing statement.

Warnaweera was a figure associated with both efficiency and controversy in that he was a cut above the rest when it came to maintaining facilities and playing conditions at the Galle International Cricket Stadium where he was its chief curator while at the same time allegedly involved in activities that made him a recluse.

He was also a sought after kingmaker when it came to installing elected SLC office-bearers in that he had enough votes in the south to demand his pound of flesh.