2nd August 1998

Who selects whom in Cricket?

A lot has been written about the dropping of Roshan Mahanama from the Sri Lankan side touring the UK. Those responsible for this action are supposedly the selectors and the selectors need not justify their actions to the public. However, I found it interesting to note Captain Ranatunga explaining the decision to drop Mahanama in a TV interview recently. Is Ranatunga representing the view of the selectors or his own or are they both one?

Let's assume that Mahanama's dropping is justified based on his performance in South Africa etc. In which case how on earth can Ranatunga or anyone else justify the inclusion of Tillekaratne? Ranatunga implied that Mahanama's inclusion would have jeopardized the chances of young Mahela Jayawardena - a clear indication that Mahanama is a No.3 batsman. Again, if such is the case, how come Mahanama is dropped lower down the order? Are the selections made for the single Test Match or One Day Tournament? Ranatunga himself has been quoted as having said that the only reason he agreed to the tour was to get exposure in preparation for the World Cup next year. So who's fooling whom? When the only person who could intervene (ie. the Minister of Sports) was asked about the Mahanama issue, his answer was totally unrelated to the question.

All of us should accept the fact that dropping of a player from a side is common practice but not at the whims and fancies of individuals be they selectors, captains, coaches or administrators. This letter does not hold a brief for Mahanama (as the Minister fears) but for the future of Sri Lanka Cricket. Perhaps Tillekaratna would do well on the tour - the result of getting into form. And I wish him well. And so could Mahanama - the difference is that the Captain does not appear to think so. I wish Captain Ranatunga and the team the very best but I also wish we have an administration including a Ministry with some guts to stand up for what is right.

R. Silva
Kohuwala

Cheers Harry!

The Sunday Times Mirror cover page photo of 19.07. 98 was indeed a welcome change. In place of the usual display of the likes of the ubiquitous modelling tribe, the cover-page carried a majestic picture of that mighty sniffer named Malta Night King alias Harry, followed by an inside pen portrait of him.

As a regular reader of the ST, I come to praise this excellent piece of photo journalism, on several counts.

First, it's a fine gesture to show appreciation of a dumb friend who has done Sri Lanka proud. Harry may not understand it; nevertheless, it is deserved publicity of a feature which would have gone by default. At a world sniffer-dog championship competition held in Finland recently, it is no small thing for Harry to have come seventh among 34,000 best dogs from all parts of the world and also become the first Asian dog to come into the first 10 finalists, and this, too, in his first entry into a world competition. Dog-lovers would be delighted. If we can sing praises for Sri Lankan world-beaters of the human kind, The Sunday Times has shown that we can do exactly the same with regard to world beating animal friends, with the silent eloquence of photo- journalism.

Secondly, the cover-photo has captured several traits of Harry. His raised ears, keenly piercing eyes, the target-directed turn of the head and resolute countenance, reveal the intelligent investigator in him. I cannot but feel, that Harry has a bit of the stiff upper- lip attitude of the traditional, square-jawed, barrel chested police officer, so well popularized by cartoonists, the world over. His powerful paws and strong body adds brawn to brain - both necessary ingredients in the make-up of a police investigator.

The cover photo is a tribute, not only to Harry, who is undoubtedly an excellent crime investigator who has brought many a criminal to book, but also, to his trainer and other responsible officers at the Police Kennels, Kandy.

Somaratne Edirisighe
Kuliyapitiya

It would help to care a little more

We refer to the article, relating to the Deaf and Blind Schools at Ratmalana which appeared in the features section of The Sunday Times of June 21.

Whilst thanking you for giving prominence in your journal to the plight of these special children in the community, I have been requested by the Board of Trustees, to write to you and correct a few inaccuracies in your article.

If your article and this reply, are able to evoke a response from the community to care a little more for these children, whose hearing and sight are impaired, then your journal would have served a worthy cause.

The Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind, with branches in Ratmalana and Kaithadi, Jaffna, are administered by a Board of Trustees, with the Bishop of Colombo, as its chairman. The Archdeacons of the Diocese are its ex-officio members, along with 14 others who are professionals, educationists and social workers. There are three main areas of activity, administered by the Board.

*To provide a normal education from grade 1-10 (GCE OL) for which we receive the support of the Dept. of Education, like any other Assisted School. The salaries of the approved staff, are paid by the department. However all additional staff, who are so necessary to maintain the establishment have to be paid by the Board. Such additional Board Staff include some teachers as well.

*. Running the Hostels which accommodate upto 95% of the children, for which a grant of Rs. 3,00/= per child, per month is received from the Dept. of Social Services, for food expenses.

* Special needs, such as Vocational Training, Mobility Skills, Hearing Aids etc. which will make these children "Self-managing contributors in society", have to be met by the Board.

Although there have been financial difficulties, with inadequate resources to expand the work of the Schools, the Board has never even remotely considered closing them down.

It is the responsibility of the Board, to find the funds required to run the Schools, and this they have always done. Although this is an Institution of the Anglican Church in Sri Lanka, it serves the entire community without any distinction between Christian children and others. In fact 95% of the children are of other faiths. As reported by Miss. Tillekeratne, the Bishop of Colombo clearly indicated that the Church will underwrite any deficit, in carrying out this rewarding work.

Although I am quoted as having said, that the Church has not increased its aid in the last three years, what I actually said was that the Social Services Dept. has not increased its grant. The Church has always met whatever expenses were incurred in running the Schools.

It is unfortunate that in compiling the report, the two Principals of the Schools in Ratmalana who could have spoken with authority have not been consulted.

Eksith Fernando
Secretary, Board of Trustees, Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind.
Ratmalana

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