Asanka Gurusinha is interviewed by Sirinama Rajapaksa in Australia Former Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Manager Asanka Gurusinha, who left his job at SLC last August, revealed to The Sunday Morning Sports that he was “disappointed” because he was not allowed to perform as he had expected, mainly due to “political interference”. “I was not allowed to perform the job I was prepared to do when I joined SLC in March 2017. Later, I found that there is overwhelming political interference which hinders the development of our cricket. That might put our country in the same predicament of Zimbabwe who are now facing an international ban,” said the world champion player from Melbourne, Australia in an exclusive interview held last week. “The investigations are on, particularly on the controversial Zimbabwe series. In addition, due to such a level of political interference, there is a possibility that we also might face an ICC ban,” he opined. Gurusinha worked as Sri Lanka Team Manager and the Chief Cricket Operations Officer from 2017-19, during which time the country’s cricket experienced a turbulent time. Towards the latter stages of his stint, “Guru” was made to take charge of the SLC High Performance Centre in Colombo. Then, he went back to Australia last August, upon the end of his two-and-half-year contract, crestfallen. “The SLC Ex-co had resolved to extend my contract by the time I made up my mind to return to Australia. But I had already packed my bags by then. I worked under three sports ministers during my stint with SLC. During the latter part of my stint though, the interference was way too much. I thought I wasted my time there (in SL). I didn’t enjoy my job. I was not allowed to fulfil my duties properly. I left Sri Lanka disappointed. That’s because my sole intention of going there was to serve Sri Lanka and win the 2023 World Cup in India, where we have a great chance of winning. But I eventually had to throw away all my plans. It was sad,” revealed Gurusinha. The full text of the interview with Gurusinha will be published in The Sunday Morning next week. During this chat with veteran sports journalist Sirinama Rajapaksa, Gurusinha talks us through what exactly happened when former SL Coach Graham Ford suddenly decided to leave his job, which the media said was owing to a dispute between him and Ford. Who invited him to take up the job in SLC? What responsibilities laid on his shoulders? What happened after controversial coach Chandika Hathurusingha joined the team? All this will be explained. How can Cricket Board politics hinder the very development of the game – the interview will shed a light on this governing aspect, too.