• NPP MP questions selection criteria for national team

Sri Lanka’s national cricket selection process is based on players’ performances and abilities, rather than their ethnicity or regional background, Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage said in Parliament on Tuesday (20).

Responding to a question raised in Parliament by a Government MP, the Minister said that an independent cricket selection committee was responsible for selecting players for the national team.

A National People’s Power (NPP) lawmaker raised concerns over the limited opportunities given to cricketers Milan Rathnayaka and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, despite their performances.

He questioned why players from certain regions appeared to receive greater opportunities, claiming that the current Sri Lankan team touring Pakistan was largely dominated by players from the Western and Southern Provinces. He also questioned whether the Sports Ministry would intervene to ensure fair opportunities for talented players from other regions.

Responding, the Minister stated that the Selection Committee considered several factors when choosing players and did not use ethnicity or geographical background as selection criteria.

“I don’t think the Selection Committee considers ethnicity or regional background when selecting players. It considers the abilities or the talent of the players,” the Minister said.

He added that the ministry could bring the concerns regarding the two cricketers to the attention of the committee and request that their performances be considered.

Sri Lanka Cricket’s Selection Committee is currently chaired by ex-pacer Kapila Wijegunawardene, who was appointed in May.