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There are good times and bad times

Incumbent President Thilanga Sumathipala, at a media conference held at the CCC last evening, said that he was confident that he will retain his position as head of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) at the 51st annual general meeting scheduled to be held at the Cricket Board headquarters on March 28.

``I'll be there,'' said Sumathipala.

Sumathipala claimed his executive committee was of the view that he should not use the Cricket Board headquarters to hold the press conference and that is why he chose the CCC.

The initial part of the conference was conducted under available light when the club experienced a power cut. A loudspeaker powered by batteries was used by Sumathipala to address the media until the power was restored 30 minutes later.

Sumathipala is being contested for the presidency by Clifford Ratwatte, President of the Nationalised Services Cricket Association and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Promotion Board.

Weighing his chances against his opponent whom he referred to as ``my friend'', Sumathipala said: ``It's a game of cricket. In cricket you should be able to play the game. You win and you lose. There are good times and bad times. I am sure I can take it.''

In a four-page newsletter which was handed out to the media, Sumathipala outlined the achievements of his administration in the past 12 months.

Some of the salient aspects of the achievements were the successful bid to host the under 19 Mini World Cup in the year 2000 with the participation of 20 countries, the organisation of the Nidahas trophy tournament, the staging of the Asian Test championships which is expected to be a fore-runner to the World Test championships, endowing each of the 16 participating clubs in the Premier championship with Rs. 600,000, construction of 148 concrete side wickets islandwide (in contrast to 13 constructed in the previous decade), setting up a permanent office for the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association, securing a 30-year lease for the Galle Stadium which was converted into one of international level and, construction of a modern gymnasium for the players.

Answering a question from the media, why one of his vice presidents was campaigning against him, Sumathipala replied: ``I feel disappointed. You don't stay in the system and fight against it. If you don't like it you get out. You don't hang around and fight with someone. He is still our vice president and it is unethical of him to be there''.

Sumathipala denied allegations that there were any discrepancies in financial matters concerning his Board and said March 28 would prove it.

A copy of the BCCSL's annual report for 1998 which also included the income and expenditures incurred by the Board for the period was distributed to the media.