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Thanks to Reinzie Wijetilleke's foresight

Dav Whatmore, the Sri Lanka born Australian who coached Sri Lanka to win the 1996 World Cup has agreed in principle to come back as Sri Lanka's national coach.

The new interim body appointed by the Sports Minister headed by Reinzie Wijetilleke gave S. Skandakuamr the green light to discuss and negotiate with Whatmore and agreement has been reached in principle for Whatmore to be appointed coach to the national team on a date to be mutually agreed upon.

Skandakumar who is in England, is a Vice President/Secretary of the Interim Committee.

A Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka press release states:

``Following discussions in the UK between S. Skandakuamr Vice President/Secretary - Interim Committee and Dav Whatmore, agreement has been reached in principle for Whatmore to be appointed coach to the national team on a date to be mutually agreed upon.

Whatmore who is presently on contract with Lancashire until September 2000 is expected to seek release at the end of the current season to take up the Sri Lankan offer which, initially, will be for a period of three years.

Rienzie T. Wijetilleke, Chairman of the Interim Committee said: ``No matter who is in administrative control, the appointment of Dav Whatmore as coach would be seen as both sensible and logical by all those genuinely interested in the future of our nation's cricket. We are therefore pleased with the outcome of the negotiations.''

Subject to his release, Whatmore is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka in mid october 1999.