Sri Lanka’s newest Sports Minister Dallas Alahapperuma kicked off proceedings at his Ministry and cautioned that he will not be around to hug the limelight and take part in worthless activities that do not augur well for sports unlike some of his predecessors who were good at hoodwinking.
Minister Alahapperuma said that his first task will be to take stock of developments in the sports arena while seeking the advice of experts and admitted he was not an overwhelming sports follower before being cast into his new role. Alahapperuma replaces Harin Fernando, who stepped down from his post following the Presidential election defeat of Sajith Premadasa last Sunday.
“I will go through the next few weeks getting to know what is taking place in sports and then meet journalists on future plans and the job that I have to perform.
“Without a proper knowledge about the current problems, opening my mouth in front of journalists will not be of any use.
My style has always being about studying situations before I set about my business. It was how I went about contesting an election (for the first time) in 1994,” Alahapperuma told the Sunday Observer in an interview.
The 60-year old Alahapperuma will also function as Minister of Youth Affairs and Education in what is being called a caretaker Government until the General or Parliamentary election in three months time.
Alahapperuma was born on May 14, 1959 in Dickwella, Matara to Carolis and Aslin Alahapperuma who were both school principals.
“The only sports I did was at school and that was it,” said Alahapperuma who also played a lead role in the presidential victory of Gotabaya Rajapaksa who also hails from the deep south of the country.
Former Sri Lanka rugby forward and team captain Namal Rajapaksa who is now a Member of Parliament was present when Alahapperuma assumed duties at his Ministry.
Alahapperuma was one of 15 Cabinet Ministers sworn in before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday.