Sujan Rao
Responding to a show cause letter issued by SLC in its continued attempt to make him quit, Hathurusingha – who has an ironclad contract in his favour – says he was “urged to plead guilty to the charges” by the SLC.
The Head Coach has been charged with six counts including failing to prepare the Sri Lanka team physically and mentally for tours; failing to build confidence of players in need to [sic] support; for creating disharmony and failure to build team spirit; failure to adhere to the ICC’s Code of Conduct; insubordination; and acting in a manner which is totally unbecoming of a National Head Coach.
The Head Coach has been charged with six counts including failing to prepare the Sri Lanka team physically and mentally for tours; failing to build confidence of players in need to [sic] support; for creating disharmony and failure to build team spirit; failure to adhere to the ICC’s Code of Conduct; insubordination; and acting in a manner which is totally unbecoming of a National Head Coach.
“The entire inquiry was handled by SLC and SLC decided not to contest the said matter and accordingly I was urged to plead guilty to the charges,” he wrote to SLC CEO Ashley de Silva in a 12-page reply to the letter which was issued in a bid to terminate his contract prematurely.
“Further the lawyer in the statement of defence prepared by them on 21.06.2018 has admitted the charges. The said admission had been done on the instigation of SLC and its lawyers. Due to the said admission ICC inquiry panel has not entertained any defence put forward by us. The ICC ruling is very clear on that matter.”
SLC has charged Hathurusingha of conducting himself in contrary to the spirit of the game during the Test match played against the West Indies in St. Lucia during the said tour, resulting in breach of Clause 7(c) of his fixed-term contract with SLC. He was hired in January 2018 for a three-year contract but is suspended without pay since September 24. Both parties have failed to find a way out to the current impasse.