By Shyamon Jayasinghe –
Shyamon Jayasinghe
Sri Lanka’s beloved singing entertainers, Gypsies, have come out with a beautiful tribute to true son of the soil, Mahela Jayawardena , who dazzled the world with his cricketing genius. He put in all his might for the country that raised him and gave the island glory. He behaved in and out of the field in a most exemplary way-every signature of the gentleman he is. At times like these in Sri Lanka, when almost everyone is seeking his/her self- interest putting the country behind priorities, Mahela must be seen as a star in the lonely and dark sky. Like Sanga, Mahela sought no special favour and kept his self-discipline and dignity.
Don Bradman is still a sacred- word here in Australia- a land that has prided itself in giving its heroes their due place. Such values are not any longer extolled in Lanka where the Army General who fought with blood, sweat and tears to save the country from a twenty-six year old terror was dragged away and put to jail; his hard-won medals grabbed by government; and citizenship rights curtailed. All these shameless and unpatriotic acts were committed while Sri Lankans both in the country and outside remained basically as bystanders.
The big picture is that Sri Lankan values have got a severe beating over the last decade. Those who work honestly are socially deemed as ‘fools,’ while the corrupt and the crooked have become role models because the latter have big money. Even education is so looked down upon that Lanka has recorded a 60 per cent drop -out -rate from higher education among school children. For a society turning corrupt what exactly is the need for higher education?
I like to raise just one question in connection with Mahela’s retirement: At the time of his decision there were complaints made by him about harassment by the big shots in the Cricket Board. Did any of these politically -planted plastic bosses cause him pain of mind and humiliation? I believe even Sanga had complained.
It is said that the Cricket Board has three mutually opposed cliques each one trying to tear down the other. Our innocent young players hopping from school to the team soon learn to play their own game against this tricky situation. The game of cricket suffers. The Board’s Chairman is Nishantha Ranatunge, who currently rules the roost, is a Sacred Cow of the regime because the regime cannot run Mihin Air and Carlton Sports Club without Nishantha. Nishantha is Chairman of the notorious White Elephant known as Mihini Air which has become a tragic joke. That alone should be enough for him to be removed.
Sri Lanka became endearing to most of the world due to the heroic performance of our cricketers. They-past and present- were our true ambassadors and not most of the louts who officially hold such positions today. If trends in our cricket administration continue this situation may be reversed.
If persons like Mahela can safely give an exit interview to the public they will reveal all. If the President wants to know, well, this is the short cut. Mahela’s retirement can be the beginning. His discontent can be symbolic of a mere tip of a big iceberg.
But will the President want to know? And will Mahela be safe in telling it all? The good man that he is, I prefer him not doing so.
Javi / August 21, 2014
pay courtesy
His Excellency Mr William Gopallawa, Governor General,
To:
Only solo world class:
Muhammad Junaid Muhammad Lafir in winning the World Amateur Billiards in November-December 1973, (859break)
Where have they gone???
Whodunit?? drama has been acted!!
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Amarasiri / August 21, 2014
Shyamon Jayasinghe –
“If persons like Mahela can safely give an exit interview to the public they will reveal all. If the President wants to know, well, this is the short cut. Mahela’s retirement can be the beginning. His discontent can be symbolic of a mere tip of a big iceberg.”
“But will the President want to know? And will Mahela be safe in telling it all? The good man that he is, I prefer him not doing so.”
First he needs to exit the Country. He should go to Australia,
Then , the can talk safely, and be the tip of the iceberg and gave his own Gutenberg Press showing how the crooked board is also infested with Corruption and nepotism like the rest of the Country, courtesy MaRa.
Welcome to Dhamma Deepaya, the Land of native Veddah, Spoilt by the paras from South India.
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Lanka watch / August 22, 2014
Amare,
The board certainly caused pain of mind and humiliations for Mahela & Sangha during the last few years of their carrier because of their popularity, specially in UK &
Australia where white cricketers dominate.
They have to keep quiet until the Presidential election is over
as they both have refused to enter politics.
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Ciriket Mad / August 22, 2014
Upon retirement Mahela might wish to explain the following questions:
1. Why is he retiring from test cricket and remaining to play 20-20 and 50 over cricket unlike all other cricketers who first retire from the shorter versions first due to slowing reflexes?
2. Has this got something to do with more “opportunities” to make millions of dollars from within and outside the game?
3. Will he one day, explain his decision making in the 20-20 grand final Sri Lanka lost to West Indies (Colombo, 2012). Are we free to suspect his integrity?
4. Are situations like these persuading Mahela to keep playing 20-20?
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Sumith / August 22, 2014
The reason why Sanga and Mahela did not continue the captaincy shows well enough they did’t want to do anything with corrupt management. Yet they contribute to cricket and country 110%.
Most commentators see Mahela’s brilliance captaincy like he is playing chess game when manipulates the team in the ground. The T20 world cup final under the captaincy of Malinga with team work of Mahela really showed how SL team outsmarted the much hyped Indian team.
Let bygone be by gone.
We love Mahela, Sanga for being themselves. For being a class ahead of the corrupt management.
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Javi / August 21, 2014
O followers, you slavish herd!
The curtain falls on croquet.
Pee_ishantha is Chairman Croak_et ‘Mudalalis’ (moguls)
Pokunawood like Bollywood the other timeless Lankian occupation.
breathe, I hope!
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Beeta Akka / August 21, 2014
In the picturem that Ranatunga fellow smiling in the backgroung like a cat after seeing a rat. But inside his heart burning gindhara with jealousy.
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Tamodaya / August 21, 2014
Native has come up with another meaningless thing.
BTW how is Tamil Elam’s cricket team doing? No matches since May 2009?
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Javi / August 21, 2014
“”BTW how is Tamil Elam’s cricket team doing? No matches since May 2009? “”
___TEe time!__________
TEETH – Tried Everything Else, Try HANUMAN.!
we lead others follow.! the originality;)
[monkey court,snooker in the making]
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migara / August 21, 2014
This Ranathunga who has eaten from people’s money knows little cricket but his presence means very clearly that he is a loot collector for the family. If not why on earth the ruler appoints this man who has no airline background or even a airport porter experience to run a 3 billion loss making Mihin.It’s just a black money transferring,local modus operandi,which MR has the sole responsibility end of the day.
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Horikadey / August 22, 2014
Beginning with the father, these Ranatungas from Gampaha are common
rogues. Whatever happened to the millions the public contributed to that Cancer Hospital – a project spear-headed by Arjuna Ranatunga when he was at the height of his cricketing career. Colombo Telegraph and other public-interest groups must go deep into the matter and expose
the blood-suckers who stole all the money. The fear is these leeches are still at work in public. I am told the Hospital project was started in memory of Mahela’s brother.
Horikadey
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Gon Fonseka / August 21, 2014
Mahela has come prepared with chalk on his face because he knows otherwise MR will grab him and kiss him on both cheeks.
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Sujeewa Devarani / August 21, 2014
But surely, he doesn’t have chalk on THOSE cheeks. You know what I mean?
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Suresh / August 21, 2014
I think the point that’s being missed here is that MR needs the Ranatunges backing him at the Presidential polls – especially in the Western Province, where he’s relatively weak. Also, has anybody noticed Arjuna’s silence lately? Cat got his tongue?
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ramona therese fernando / August 21, 2014
Guess if Lankan cricket-personalities are paid in proportion to country’s profits for cricket, then they wouldn’t be quite as disgruntled. In US, big-league players’ salaries are in the 10’s of millions US$$. Lankan Cricket-league must be making hundreds of billions of rupees. Each star player must then get paid something like Rs.100-million and upwards(after tax).
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Aman Faris / August 21, 2014
Indeed Mahela Jayawardene was a marvelous batsman. But we shouldn’t go overboard praising him like the Indians venerate Sachin Tendulkar.
Did Mahela play for the country or for money? Remember the time when he and many other leading players refused to go on a tour because they felt they were not getting more money?
Let’s put things in perspective.
Cricketers are getting more money than they deserve. Sports have been commercialized to such an extent that it has become unfair by poor people.
Aman
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ramona therese fernando / August 22, 2014
Guess it depends on how the cricketing associating funds itself. Is it a part-social venture, or is it purely commercial. If socialist, then the players have to play like in communist countries- play or die! If commercial, then rich persons like politicians, industrialists, business-people,tycoons,need to pay their fair share of at least 1-lakh for a seat in a the air-conned pavilion. Cricketing association needs to be audited by an outside body.
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perera / August 22, 2014
amal a cricketer’s professional life is short sxo they have to maximise their earnings for future posperity. if they dont then they end up in the throes of poverty. check on most past cricketers and you will find this.
cricket has been commercialised by people outside of cricket notably packer. so if a cricketer take advantage of this good luck to him. \the likes of packer make oodles of money so why not the cricketers.
the teams refusal to tour was a way of attacking SLC run by a bunch of shysters led by ranatunga who has no experience in cricket administration (just a arse licker of rajapakses) that is why he also heads crlton and that great white elephant HIMIN LANKA. i personally dont think he could even lead the portering section of thta white elephant.
THIS IS WHY SPORTS AND POLITICS SHOULD NOT BE BED FELLOWS. POLITICS IS FULL OF BLOOD SUCKING VERMIN.
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Reerie Yaka / August 22, 2014
Sujeewa, is MR [Edited out]
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Dr.Goebells / August 22, 2014
Mr.Jayasinghe
Mahela realised that his form was dropping , and decided to call it a day . After all , he is well into his thirties and one cannot go on forever . Why are you trying to create issues where none clearly exist ?
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Lanka Watch / August 22, 2014
Dr. Goebells,
You said it right .Unlike some cricketers who
want to hang on playing in all forms of cricket games, despite their poor performance , just for money, and political influence, , Mahela & Sanga decided to drop out at the right time to give chances to younger cricketers. This should be the thinking of a good Cricketer.
We had cricketing greats like Assanga, Arjuna Murali,Sanath, Aravinda,
and so on but Mahela & Sanga, not only played out standing cricket, they shone well off the field and set an example for the younger lot to follow as performance outside the field is also an important factor and that is why people are worried that SL is loosing two great cricketers, who are internationally recognized and praised. Sachin Tendulkar is another good example of an exemplary behaviour shown on and off the field and the govt.of India recognized the services he rendered to the country by awarding him with the highest national award
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Don Quixote / August 22, 2014
Ranatunga is the Secretary of the Board not the chairman. It used to be an honorary post, I wonder what it is now ?!!
At last an article having something to do with sport published here !
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Disgusted / August 22, 2014
What a fuss the writer of this article and many of these commentators are making by creating issues out of anything and everything, just to criticise the government.
Lets honour Mahela by sticking to discussing his cricketing skills and contributions.
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l. perera / August 22, 2014
Mahinda R and Mahela J ( a Political leader and a Cricket captain ) are two Sri Lankans whose names will be etched in the Islands history.
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l. perera / August 23, 2014
I noticed 2 thumbs down for my post of 22.8: Like it or not, it will be a reality. Perhaps, those who did so are not aware or (not born)in the mid to late 70’s, when, Lankans had to queue to buy a loaf of bread.Rice, groceries, cloth for shirts, slacks , dress material and even cups and plates were only available at C0-ops and limited to coupons that were issued to Lankans. Sugar and infant food was a luxury, we drank tea with inferior Hakuru or cheap lollies. Walking down Chatham street I noticed the Cargills display windows draped with faded pink satin cloth empty except for a single display stand that had 6 cakes of Rani soap. Think again critics.
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l perera / August 27, 2014
All you MR knockers (if not for President MR) you still would be looking over your shoulders for LTTE suicide bombers and not living in a fast developing country but in ‘Sri Lanka illang kaa’.
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Javi / August 27, 2014
What a pissu man pereee papa,??
it was kussi amma cultural revolution- nm;bolvin,badaudin, kussi amma; felik the cat. The ala battala to koti pataw, sinha pataw.
Honda bittare (lovely eggs) hatched by Hub bug tota Hora ranchuwa.
ratiripassa thoppi.
Hey way wog, Now say `Ouch` you are trampling my tale.
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loku tena / August 27, 2014
When did you come out of the loony bin in Angoda?
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douglas / August 22, 2014
Please watch, if you have a recording of 1000th performance of “SA” by another great son of Sri Lanka, Dr. Victor Ratnayake. In that he says “Everyone must realize that a time comes when his/her talents are fading and diminishing and that is the time to gracefully retire”/.
Mahela (a person is called by the first name when he/she is so dear and popular) has “REALIZED” and above all “IDENTIFIED” the trend of diminishing returns and very graciously retired. So let us say “AYU BO WEVA” : LONG LIVE OUR GREAT SON OF SRI LANKA.
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paul / August 22, 2014
1 Compliant must come from Mahela, not 3rd persons living 7,000 kms away.
2. Could Mahila be afraid of his life, white vans for instance?. He should not, there are 20million plus inhabitants who have been spared..
3 If the writer and his cohorts have enough evidence, then he should take this matter up, rather than trying “horun gen pena ahanawa vagei” – asking the thieves for evidence.
4 I think there are more sinister motives at play here. He is trying to canvas support for the anti-rajapaksa movement :Sanga, veda, guru, govi, kamkaru .keep adding kala-karu, kreedaka, diaspora-val …
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wanniarachchy / August 22, 2014
Hey Paul don’t you like this criminal MR sent home or to jail?
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Javi / August 23, 2014
Paul Saul, cannot will-not turn for fear of the old adage.- white van.!
Paul & Such are always in alliance with the despot,
abetting his abuses in return for protection to their own.
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paul / August 23, 2014
I fear losing hard won war against ltte if we send him out too soon.
Certain things – like distancing gen fonseka and getting karuna /kp under his arm, though appear criminal acts on the face of it, they have far wider implications during war times. Don’t forget although ltte has been defeated, the real separatist movement is still alive and kicking.
I do not like having an inner circle of cohorts who are above the law. However this is the price i am prepared to pay for keeping separatist movement at bay
Prove someday that rajapaksa family has ill gotten wealth. That day they should be made answerable to the people in this country. This should not be a political mud slinging exercise though.
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Know All / August 22, 2014
The admiration we have for our sporting heroes and the affection in which we hold them are largely not determined by hard, logic reasoning. They are our heroes because of their great deeds on the field of sport and the pleasure they have brought us in the way they played their sports and brought honour and victory for the country. In a way, they are like our idols of the screen. If we start delving into their personal lives and what makes them ‘tick’ and so on, we simply bring unnecessary discontent into our own lives.
So, what I’d like to say is that having told Mahela how much we appreciate what he has done for us and SL – as a SL cricketer – and thank him for that, that we leave other issues well alone.
An exit interview from Mahela? I, for one, don’t think it’s a smart idea. What is it going to achieve? Well, in my view, it will achieve nothing.
In the meantime, thank you Mahela for the pleasure you have given us. Good Luck attend you always.
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Raj / August 25, 2014
Maybe Mahela can follow the footsteps of multi talented Sanath, as well as, others like the Ranatunga Brothers, if wants to make more tax free earning, instead of retiring gracefully with his self respect intact.
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