The banker who steadied Sri Lanka's cricketing ship

When defending champions Sri Lanka crashed out in the group stages of the 1999 Cricket World Cup, fans were left shell-shocked. From heroes in 1996 to also-rans three years later, the dramatic decline left a bitter taste in many a mouth. Off the field, the situation was equally grim, with the cricket board mired in allegations of financial mismanagement. The sport that had united a nation had become a lightning rod for controversy.

- BY REX CLEMENTINE

Faced with this maelstrom, President Chandrika Kumaratunga was forced to act. But instead of turning to a former cricketer, she made an unconventional choice.

In came a banker, not a batsman. Rienzie Wijetilleke, a man of unimpeachable integrity and then Chairman of Hatton National Bank, was tasked with cleaning the Augean stables. The nation's first-ever Cricket Interim Committee was born.

Wijetilleke, who passed away on Friday after a brief illness, was no cricketing tactician. But he knew good governance. His only request to the President was a “free hand” to act, and act he did.

Understanding the limitations of his cricketing knowledge, he surrounded himself with a team of cricketing professionals. In came former captain Michael Tissera, sharp thinker of the game Sidath Wettimuny as Chairman of Selectors and S. Skandakumar, head of the country’s oldest mercantile firm, George Steuart.