After much deliberation, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have named Marvan Atappatu as the head coach. Atapattu was the interim coach until now and SLC have picked him ahead of the only other candidate short-listed - England's John Lewis.
The decision-making attracted controversy after Sanath Jayasuriya resigned from the committee making the decision. Jayasuriya who is also the chief national selector had expressed his dismay in a mail to SLC and made it clear that he was not part of the decision made.
"I have my reasons which I would reveal at the appropriate time. I was not part of this decision. Some officials informed me of what happened at the meeting today, but I want make it clear that I was not part of that decision," said Jayasiriya reportedly.
In a mail to SLC, Jayasuriya said, "There seems to be several factions within, under the impression that my only intention is to bring in a foreign coach. It is indeed extremely disheartening to know as we are preparing for a World cup and the game of cricket is marginalized due to such inferences."
The committee included Asanga Seneviratne, Mohan De Silva, Nishantha Ranatunga, Hirantha Perera, Nuski Mohamed, Sanath Jayasuriya, Jayananda Warnaweera, Shammi Silva, Dushan Soyza, Ranjit Fernando, and Head of Coaching Jerome Jayaratne.
Atapattu had been interviewed by SLC on Tuesday and was given the role after SLC finished their talks with John Lewis. Atapattu had been successful in the interim term when Sri Lanka won a historic Test series in England and won again at home against Pakistan. He will be the first full time local coach for Sri Lanka since Roy Dias in 1999.Click to open
