da 888： Sri Lankan sports minister Johnston Fernando has reappointed the recentlyresigned interim committee to run the affairs of the cricket board untilfurther notice
CricInfo31-Dec-2001Sri Lankan sports minister Johnston Fernando has reappointed the recentlyresigned interim committee to run the affairs of the cricket board untilfurther notice.Ten days ago the newly appointed sports minister had called for theresignation of all non-elected sports administrations, including cricket,athletics, gymnastics and Wushu.Having put on record his preference for democratic sporting bodies andjustified his call for resignations by arguing that the interim members werepolitical appointees, Fernando seemed likely to appoint a new look interimbody for a specified time until fresh elections.But after a week of intense lobbying, no date for the Annual General Meetinghas been set, and no significant change in the committee’s composition wasmade.Vijaya Malalsekera will remain as chairman, whilst former fast bowlerAshantha de Mel is the only member to have not been reappointed from the oldsix-member committee.Two new members have been added: leading lawyer Nalin Ladduwahetti andformer Athletic Association president and leading businessman AriyaKannangara.The previous members Michael Tissera (vice-chairman), Kushil Gunasekera(secretary), Sidath Wettimuny (member) and Mani Jayasinghe (member) retaintheir earlier responsibilities.Peoples Alliance (PA) sports minister Laksmann Kiriella had appointed theinterim committee eight months ago following the dissolution of the cricketboard, then headed by businessman Thilanga Sumathipala.