Sri Lanka Cricket High Performance faces allegations over appointments, private coaching, course recognition and influence at Khettarama.
The Sri Lanka Cricket High Performance operation has come under scrutiny following a report published by Lanka E News alleging irregularities, favouritism and improper practices at its Khettarama centre.
The report makes a series of serious allegations concerning coaches, appointments, private coaching, training programmes and the influence of a particular religious group. It also questions whether recent attempts to transform Sri Lankan cricket have delivered meaningful change.
The allegations remain claims made in the Lanka E News report. The article does not include responses from the individuals named or from Sri Lanka Cricket.
Allegations of Religious Influence at Khettarama
According to the report, the Sri Lanka Cricket High Performance section at Khettarama has allegedly come under the influence of a particular religious sect.
It claims several senior officials and coaches are prominent followers who openly promote the group.
The report names section heads Jerome Jayaratne, Ruwan Kalpage and Heshan de Mel. It also names coaches Roger Wijesuriya, Duminda Perera, Ishara Amarasinha and Sajeeva Weerakoon as being associated with the alleged clique.
Lanka E News further alleges that these individuals receive preferential treatment and travel opportunities because of those connections.
More seriously, the report claims that 20% of their salaries goes to the leader of the religious group. It also alleges that some coaches secure contract renewals and salary increases by spreading gossip within the system.
The report provides no independent evidence in the supplied article to establish those claims.
Questions Over Coaching Practices and Private Sessions
Another allegation concerns a 60-year-old fast bowling coach who reportedly lost his position following an incident involving actresses and models.
According to the report, he later returned on a salary higher than those of other coaches. However, it claims he now advises batsmen despite being employed for fast bowling coaching.
The report alleges that he tells batsmen that following his advice could help them gain the attention of selectors and secure places on tours.
It further claims that, although his re-employment was reportedly limited to fast bowling duties, he continues visiting batting nets and advising players.
The Sri Lanka Cricket High Performance system also faces allegations concerning private coaching.
According to the report, High Performance coaches cannot conduct private coaching because Sri Lanka Cricket already pays them substantial salaries.
Nevertheless, it alleges that several coaches secretly conduct sessions during weekends and at night. The report claims senior officials know about these activities but ignore them because they also receive considerations.
It further alleges that coaches charge players substantial hourly fees and tell parents that their children could gain entry into national squads.
Food, Training Courses and Appointment Claims
The Lanka E News report also raises allegations about food provided to male and female players training at Khettarama.
It claims some individuals exploit food allocated to players. According to the report, one female coach accused of such conduct is currently under a work ban.
The report then turns to the training and education division, describing it in highly critical terms.
It alleges that several consultants, including its head, lack sufficient cricketing credentials. It also questions the international recognition of Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 coaching courses conducted through the programme.
According to the article, certificates issued through these courses are valid only in Sri Lanka and are not recognised by the International Cricket Council. It claims some recipients discover this only when presenting their qualifications overseas.
The report also targets recent coaching appointments made under Ruwan Kalpage.
It alleges that several appointments reflected his personal preferences rather than an impartial selection process.
Regional Appointments and Transformation Committee Questioned
The report claims regional appointments were made to favour individuals connected to Kalpage and former Vice President Ravin Wickramaratne.
It further states that several coaches who believe they suffered unfair treatment during the interview process intend to seek legal action.
Those coaches are also described as being unhappy with Transformation Committee member Roshan Mahanama over his reported support for the appointments.
The original report uses particularly harsh language to express that criticism, claiming Mahanama would accept “even if Ruwan Kalpage showed a piece of glass and called it a gem.”
Against this backdrop, Lanka E News argues that the Sri Lanka Cricket High Performance Centre has effectively become a “No-Performance” centre.
It characterises the operation as a “den of thieves” and questions whether meaningful reform has occurred within the institution.
The report concludes by turning its criticism towards the Transformation Committee chaired by Eran Wickramaratne.
Although the President appointed the committee to drive change, the article argues that Sri Lankan cricket continues along the same path.
Taken together, the allegations raise significant questions about governance, transparency, appointments and professional standards within the High Performance structure. However, because the claims involve identifiable individuals and potentially serious misconduct, responses from Sri Lanka Cricket and those named would be important in assessing the allegations fully.
SOURCE:- HARI DESHAYA
