Former Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Chairman Thilanga Sumathipala (45) is running a massive campaign leading up to the Parliamentary Elections, which is a mere month away. Sumathipala, who is contesting in the Colombo district from the UPFA, has chosen ‘Making Colombo the Excellence of Asia’ as his tagline.

However, some of the promotional material he has carried is false and could be termed a twist of the history.

In an advertisement that appeared in some Sunday newspapers, Sumathipala has said that his achievements included ‘making Sri Lanka the first country to display the National flag on their team uniform’.

However, some research by ‘The Island’ Sports Desk has proved that even before Sumathipala became the Chairman of the Cricket Board in 1998, at least one other country was displaying the National flag on their uniform.

The South Africans certainly displayed the National flag before the Sri Lankans and the picture below, taken on the 11th of December 1997, shows Hansie Cronje and Lance Klusener celebrating during a One-Day International against New Zealand in Hobart, Tasmania during the Carlton & United Tri-Nation series.

The Rainbow nation’s national flag is displayed on the left-side of the players’ kit, above the South African Cricket Board logo.

Hence, Sumathipala’s claim is false and misleading.