Abu, Thilanga on collision course

The Daily News
8 December 1998



Vice president of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka Abu Fuard who apposed the proposed constitutional changes of the BCCSL has, it is alleged received death threats.

According to Fuard the reasons for these threats are that he opposed certain clauses which were to be introduced into the BCCSL constitution at a meeting which was scheduled for November 29 but did not take place ultimately.

Although journalists are debarred from holding office in the BCCSL an amendment was to be moved at this meeting allowing directors of media institutions to hold office in the Cricket Board and also to allow the umpires committee to be formed after the election of the executive committee which were opposed by Fuard.

On (November 28) Fuard has received three telephone calls from Japan threatening to kill him or assault him and he had conveyed this information to high ranking Police and Government officials. Acting on this complaint CID personnel had been deployed near his residence that night.

Meanwhile the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) Thilanga Sumathipala lashed out at Fuard's comments and said that Fuard's main intention apparently is to bring disrepute to the Cricket Board.

The BCCSL President also said that Abu Fuard had not yet brought this matter to the notice of the Board officials and said that he is prepared to discuss the matter if he is informed and even seek assistance from the Ministry of Sports.

The BCCSL President also alleged that Abu Fuard had demanded a sum of Rs 100,000 to coach a junior cricket team which the Board could not afford to pay and this may be the reason why he is making unfair allegations.


Source: The Daily News