but de Mel failed to take a wicket in the second innings as India drew the match. After cricket His career was ended in 1987 due to a knee injury, but he continued within the Sri Lankan cricket system, and in May 2004 he was appointed head of selectors in Sri Lanka. That lasted for one year, whereupon he was sacked, only one month after the sports minister Jeewan Kumaranatunga had announced that he would be retained for another year. de Mel has also played bridge, appearing in the Commonwealth Games playing this sport. De Mel went on to become the chairman of the Selection Committee, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) which was responsible for selecting players for matches and tours. He was also the chairman of the state owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. References External links 1959 births Living people Sri Lanka One Day International cricketers Sri Lanka Test cricketers Sri Lankan cricketers Cricketers at the 1983 Cricket World Cup Cricketers at the 1987 Cricket World Cup Alumni of Royal College, Colombo Alumni of Isipathana College