13.7.2008
by Rex Clementine

Sensing the danger of leading Colombo clubs attracting mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis, Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka has warned the newly promoted Second Lieutenant to remain with the army.

The Commander met the Second Lieutenant, who rose to limelight overnight with a six wicket haul against India in the final of the Asia Cup in Karachi, on Friday and had requested him not to dump the Army. "While you are now officering, you should not lose your balance, instead continue to serve the Army," the Army Chief was quoted as saying in a media release issued by the Army yesterday.

The release also said that General Fonseka had requested Mendis to help further develop and promote the Army cricket team.

Mendis had an excellent domestic season as Army were promoted for Tier ‘A’ after becoming champions of Tier ‘B’ last season.

Even before his international debut, certain leading Colombo clubs had expressed interest in recruiting the spinner for the next season after convincing defense authorities of the benefits of him playing cricket for a club rather than the Army. However, now with Army keen to retain him for the tougher battle in the Tier ‘A’ in the domestic competition, a move for a Colombo club maybe out of equation.