Minister gets tough on cricket officials

3 February 2015 02:53 am - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sports Minister Navin Dissanayake cracked the whip for the first time on cricket officials issuing them strict guidelines on several internal matters yesterday at a meeting.

The Minister’s orders do not appear consistent with the recent reiterations by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and International Olympic Committee (IOC) that there should be no political interference in local sports governing bodies, but the Minister claimed that the new government was keen to investigate all the allegations about corruption.

“As there is a new government in place and allegations of corruption in many institutions abound the Minister directed the Secretary of the Ministry Mr. Rafeek to employ the services of a Sri Lankan Audit firm to do a complete financial audit and give the report to him in one months’ time,” stated a media release by the Minister.

Minister proved he was ready to be tough with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials.

“There cannot be any conflict of interest by Board members and Sri Lanka Cricket. This means that Board members cannot employ those related to them or promote them nor can they have any contracts that supply any services or goods to the Board,” added the release.

The minister also made a ruling on the long running controversy of SLC Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga representing SLC at the ICC’s CEO conferences. “He (Ashley de Silva) will also represent SLC at the CEO Conferences of the ICC,” read the Minister’s media release.

Ranatunga, asked about the controversy, told “Daily Mirror” yesterday that it was the SLC Exco which assigned him for the ICC Chief Executive meetings. He said that the members like India and Sri Lanka sent the Secretary to the ICC CEO meeting as the structure of these cricket boards was different to the other cricket boards of the world.

He said that the exco felt that a member at the decision making level should represent the board at these meetings. He said that it was a decision SLC exco had taken way back in 2009 and insisted he had nothing personal to gain by attending the meetings. Minister has also put an end to SLC officials attempting to claim the credit for various issues by ordering that all communication with foreign cricket boards should be carried out only in consultation with all top officails.

“No member of the Board should have direct communications with overseas Cricket Board individuals. All such contact and communications should be done by the President’s Office or on an officially accepted basis. All such communications should be shared by the President, Secretary and the CEO,” stated the Minister’s directive.

Minister announced that he has appointed a three member committee headed by Dharmasena Dissanayake, a retired secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs to investigate the alleged irregularities that had occurred at the Sports and Tourism ministries. The other members of the committee would be Namasivayam Pathmanathan, a retired Deputy Secretary of the Treasury and Ruzly Hussain, a director of the public sector.

Media questioned the Minister about the media reports about cricket star Kumar Sangakkara making allegations against the former Sports Minister and SLC Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga and the Minister announced that he hopes to appoint a one-member committee to investigate the allegations.

Minister also said that he would consult the President and Prime Minister if the SLC election due to be held before March 31, should be postponed in view of the World Cup. (Susil Premalal)

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Comments - 18

Desmond jeromme Tuesday, 03 February 2015 12:21 PM

It is better Aluthgamage should surrender to the Police and admit all his frauds, sometimes he could reduce his Jail term. Otherwise sorry putha.

Sunil Tuesday, 03 February 2015 05:04 PM

Much as it is tempting for the Minister to interfere it is not right for him to get involved in the administrative affairs of the sports bodies which is the responsibility of the sports governing bodies.Ministerial interference for whatever reason will create the atmosphere of distrust and loss of faith by the public in the neutrality of the administrators decisions.It is an entirely different matter for an independent Tribunal or Appeals Forum to be set up to review and overturn unlawful of manifestly unreasonable decisions of the governing bodies.The ministers role is one of being the promulgator of broad policies for all sports not interference in the day to day administrative actions of the governing bodies.Leave our sports alone .They belong to the people .They are not political toys to play with to suit the whim and fancy of politicians or to do favours for political henchmen.Follow what other great sporting nations like Australia and UK are doing.It is time for a new start .People are sick of politicians dipping their hands in every pocket.The sporting arena is a source of education for particularly the young of the need for fairplay and respect for rules.Ministerial interference destroys both these values.

Euclid Tuesday, 03 February 2015 01:51 PM

Get tough now and book all culprits. Else we the humble voters will kick you out at the next election. We did not vote for the Swan for you to sleep with dogs.

lalith Tuesday, 03 February 2015 01:34 PM

Navin this is not rocket science ok, get rid of most nasty and corrupt men from slc,use new technology instead of man power,use all those funds to develop rural areas with ground facilities follow the step of Lee Kwan yew,also please get rid of Sanath as the chief selector, his position is detrimental for whole side,he is only brilliant player but poor thinker,Navin can you ever match yourself with Mahidananda dumb criminal,who was lucky to be a minister

Nims Tuesday, 03 February 2015 12:56 PM

Check how D S de Silva who was the Chairman during the Wold Cup played in India and Sri Lanka invited his brother DP de S to Sri Lanka at the expense of Sri Lanka cricket

robinhood Tuesday, 03 February 2015 12:51 PM

will they also confiscate that expensive pair of shoes ?

J Palitha Tuesday, 03 February 2015 12:28 PM

He is a thug too... he has all Karas, danger man. What happened to him? Anyway let the sports minister audit and find out the facts about him.

Desmond Jeromme Tuesday, 03 February 2015 12:26 PM

Recently before the election you set your gangsters and assulted your own cousin brother (Ananda) may be these are the curses upon you Sir.

Vijith Pieterz Tuesday, 03 February 2015 12:24 PM

This man owns lot of Luxury vehicles, now all are hidden. Please check on it.This is a true information.

Bubble Banda Tuesday, 03 February 2015 11:25 AM

Mahinananda Aluthgamage

Vijith Pieterz Tuesday, 03 February 2015 12:19 PM

This Aiyo term is very bad, this was originally expressed by Wimal Weerawansa that is why now all are in trouble.

J Palitha Tuesday, 03 February 2015 12:18 PM

Weerawansa first you only told Aiyo Sirisena, now see your good old friends including your Master, everyone says Aiyo.. Aiyo... this is a curse for you.

Vijith Pieterz Tuesday, 03 February 2015 12:15 PM

Go to Hambantota and ask your boss - what to do? Sometimes he may have your files too, tell him to destroy those.

Kiris Baba Amaray Tuesday, 03 February 2015 11:44 AM

You must add - Aiyo....Aiyo.... before Mahinanda Aluthgamage bubble putha.

Horri Jimonis Tuesday, 03 February 2015 11:43 AM

Aiyo Mahinananda ..... Aiyo Mahinananda..... Aiyo.....Aiyo.... you too are like Weerawansa putha now no mercy !!!!

Kiris Baba Amaray Tuesday, 03 February 2015 11:41 AM

Kurunduwatte boy has to hide himself under the tea bushes. What a fate. Thanks to Hon. Sports Minister, even your office staff will testify all misuses in the past.

Horri Jimonis Tuesday, 03 February 2015 11:39 AM

Mahinananda, you are in great trouble, the real honest sports minister had come to your seat. Hope your files will be pulled out soon.

J Palitha Tuesday, 03 February 2015 11:37 AM

How can Ex-sports minister have mansions

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Minister gets tough on cricket officials

Comments - 18

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