In the early 1950's there was a very popular song titled "money is the route cause of all evil" how true with our criketers and administrators of the game. Cricket as it is now no more a gentleman's game in Sri Lanka.

If we go back a couple of decades ago, when real gentleman played the game, they had to spend their own money to purchase the cricket materials etc. and if they are selected for foreign tours they had to find their own passage money etc.

It is sad, but true when we became World Champions in 1996, the flood gates of money was opened in millions of US dollars and the game became very competetive and everyone was anxious to creep into the BCCSL to serve in whatever capacity, not for the sake of developing the game of cricket in the country, but to make money and fatten their purse, go on foreign tours with the teams and make the best holiday the would never ever had in their life. Perhaps the highest paid employees in the country are in the BCCSL in whatever capacity attached to the development of cricket administration of the game and the cricketers.

Today the cricketers earn as much as Rs. 6 to 10 million a year, tax free, payment in foreign exchange, not even the C. E. O. of any multinational Companies in Sri Lanka are paid that sum of money. No doubt some players have lost their head, these cricketers should remember that when they go on foreign tours, they represent the country as "Ambassadors" and not to crave for more money.

When the National Anthem is sung the players should open their mouth and join in the singing of the "Namo Namo Matha" with their right hand placeds on their left breast, indicating that they are proud and love the country at heart to the world.

These cricketers have failed in their performance in the tours of Australia and South Africa miserably before the World Cup, however the Ministry of Sports had to organise a morale boosting tamasha at the Ministry of Sports grounds, before the players left for the World Cup in South Africa to concentrate on the game and try to win the World Cup for Sri Lanka, and even there was a TV ad spot to bring the World Cup.

It had been reported in the print media that some of the cricketers have been boasting the millions of US dollars they would earn as a result of playing in the World Cup.

Many catches were missed during the World Cup group matches by some players, catches win matches. Perhaps these players were not concentrating on the ball, but concentrating as the dollars were falling from they sky, we should name some of these boasting guys as "Dollar Boys".

We must be proud of Capt 'Cool' Arjuna Ranatunga who never made money on advertisements etc., and did not crave for more money.

The BCCSL should have put down their foot and refused the demands of the cricketers, as no one is indispendable in any field, and a better team sent as there is a queue of talented players in the country.

The BCCSL should have put down their foot and refused the demands of the cricketers, as no one is indispendable in any field, and a better team sent as there is a queue of talented players in the country.

Today cricket is played in paddy fields in the country, one time it was the game of 'ELLE' we have more talents in the rural and outstations and the Ministry of Sports is unable to spend large sum of momey for the development of cricket and other Sports in the country.

Sri Lanka is the only country in the world that give ‘Free Education’ and ‘Free Health’ services to all its citizens. Now that the BCCSL have earned a sum of US $ 8 million of the World Cup tour, and also the monies earned in the previous tours should be used wisely in the development of cricket in all schools, particularly in rural areas.

There should be transparency and accountability of the BCCSL funds and the people should be kept in formed of all matters.

The petty infighting in the Cricket Board shoued now end and for the betterment of the game, the players and the administration.
F. A. Rodrigo - Sathianathen
Kelaniya