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Sanath Jayasuriya has been named the full-time
“cricket consultant” for Sri Lanka Cricket for a duration of one
year. In this capacity, he will supervise coaches and players at SLC’s high
performance facility in Khettarama. He will also work with players to build
“individual skill development strategies” and keep an eye on the
coaching staff.
After being barred from all cricket for two years by
the ICC’s anti-corruption unit in 2019, Jayasuriya is taking on his first post
with SLC. He had been banned after he had admitted to two crimes under the
anti-corruption code: refusing to help with an investigation and impeding or
postponing an investigation.
“[Jayasuriya] will also establish national
specialist skills programs with key staff aligned to lead roles within each
skill discipline, among several other tasks,” the board release said.
He had served in two contentious terms as Sri Lanka’s
chief selector in the past. In the first, he was charged with giving special
treatment to a member of parliament who was connected to the government. There
has been a lot of turnover in the men’s national team during the second term.
It is understood that his second term as head selector was a factor in the
ACU’s claims against him.
The selection committee headed by Upul Tharanga was
also named this week, making Jayasuriya’s appointment the second notable
appointment in as many days.