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​SL defends interim body after ICC threat

17 April 2015 12:20 pm - 34     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sports minister Navin Dissanayake on Friday defended his decision to appoint an interim committee to oversee cricket, saying it was his "sovereign right".

The comments came after the International Cricket Council said the move may amount to government interference, and that it would withhold payments to Sri Lanka unless the matter was resolved.

Dissanayake had last month sacked elected members of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and appointed a nine-member interim committee, headed by former Test batsman Sidath Wettimuny, to run the sport's administration.

"I have every sovereign right to act as the minister," he said. "My actions are very much within our laws."

Dissanayake added that he had called a meeting of the interim committee on Monday to chart the future course of action.

The ICC said the minister's action was a breach of its constitution, which requires free and fair elections of office-bearers at a member board.

The constitution states that "where a government interferes in the administration of cricket by a member, the executive board shall have the power to suspend or refuse to recognise that member."(AFP)

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  Comments - 34

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  • Umpire Saturday, 18 April 2015 11:57 AM

    This confirms that ICC is CORRUPT.

    MOHAMED ASHRAFF NAZIM Saturday, 18 April 2015 10:01 AM

    The ICC has no right to intervene or demand for an inquiry in the newly appointed Interim Committee by the Sports Minister and this was due Malpractices occurred in the previous Board and we applaud the Sports Minister for having taken the correct decision at the appropriate time in the interest of the Future of our Cricket Team. The Rogues and culprits have to be punished and should not keep any room to raise their head again.

    Bala Saturday, 18 April 2015 10:04 AM

    What you mean give way to thuggery and corruption and tail down sell the country.

    Anura de Alwis Saturday, 18 April 2015 10:08 AM

    Someone should take the ICC to task as they are in trying to bully Sri Lanka through their constitution. Sri Lanka now has a democratically elected by the people and the minister of sports was elected by the people and the president who appointed him was also elected by an extremely fair election. Hence why can not the minister appoint a IC to manage without having another election. ICC has no right to have this clause in their MEM of articles as by doing so they are the undemocratic entity and trying to interfere with the law of a sovereign country. This IC is way too clean for Sirinivasan to do his dirt deals as he had done in India.

    M.M.Jiffry Saturday, 18 April 2015 10:18 AM

    First ICC should be dissolved and an interim committee appointed in order to bring all those corrupt elements to the books

    Cricketer Saturday, 18 April 2015 10:43 AM

    Absolute Bull S..t mate !!

    Cricketer Saturday, 18 April 2015 10:46 AM

    Absolutely right. If the Government is spending money to develop the cricket infrastructure and maintain and build new statidums, and if the Governing body does not have money and bankrupt even to pay salaries of the staff, what should the Government do ?

    Wicketkeeper Saturday, 18 April 2015 10:49 AM

    This has nothing to do with Yahapalanaya. If you are a supporter of the previous team that has bankrupt SL Cricket, then get your head checked.

    G.M. Jayawardena Saturday, 18 April 2015 11:27 AM

    Going against ICC constitution SL may loose participation of International cricket events as a country and also may sometimes loose the opportunities of officiating matches. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena may sometimes face difficulty in getting being selected.

    Kiri Gamarala Saturday, 18 April 2015 08:34 AM

    Disqualify all those found guilty and inform the ICC. The International governing body should not interfere with domestic inquiries against elected officials.

    Umpire Saturday, 18 April 2015 12:40 PM

    So what ? Should we simply ignore corruption under the previous team and keep pumping tax payers money to maintain SLC ?

    Aquarius Saturday, 18 April 2015 12:53 PM

    If the ICC is keen to be righteous, why were they silent when corruption was rampant with the earlier board/s. Sidath Wettimuniy is a gentleman with an impeccable background and has been well chosen to lead the Committee and bring back accountability and transparency to SLC. ICC should understand and accept this change and not throw the book or come down on those who wants to clean the system.

    rajiv Saturday, 18 April 2015 01:11 PM

    ICC is not worried even if the members in the board take bribe or not, even if they play the board money for their advantage, even if they match fix. You can take a look at how they did not say a word of Dr. Srinivasan inspite of the legal result.

    S silva Saturday, 18 April 2015 03:13 PM

    If you go through the past ICC demanded that office bearers should be appointed by members and government should not interfere and this applicable to all countries and Navin is trying to misguide the nation Few U N P guys can only justify him

    Lawry Saturday, 18 April 2015 05:45 PM

    Why do people forget that it was our own guys who held office before who complained to ICC? And ICC defends these thieves.

    Lawry Saturday, 18 April 2015 06:20 PM

    ICC should incorporate in its constitution that corruption by elected office bearers is permtted (provided they share the loot with ICC.)

    Prem Nath Sunday, 19 April 2015 10:40 AM

    The ICC must not force governments to drop corruption investigation into their cricket organization in the country where fraud and corruption if rife.The ICC itself is rife with fraud and corruption from top to bottom.

    hiran gunawardena Friday, 17 April 2015 07:31 PM

    Yeah ignore fill up your henchmen with all the posts Navin. You doing a grand job via DM Android App

    Gobson Friday, 17 April 2015 06:10 PM

    Can some one please tell us what does the ICC Governance say when the Governments initiate investigations against local administrators of cricket for misappropriation of public funds..

    Sri Lankan Friday, 17 April 2015 06:11 PM

    ICC has got its wires crossed big time. Are they taking the side of rogues who have wasted public funds.

    third umpire Friday, 17 April 2015 06:14 PM

    The ICC needs to update its Governance Charter. The Governments have all the right to investigate suspected cases of fraud and misappropriation of tax payers money by the local administrators of the game.

    Match Refree Friday, 17 April 2015 06:16 PM

    First of all Sirinivasan is disqualified from holding that position due to corruption charges against him and his son in law.

    kumaraya Friday, 17 April 2015 06:19 PM

    Obviously the diaspora is behind this! Non are as blind as those who refuse to see. ICC would have known of the atrocious misconduct and the corruption of the previous Board but they choose to ignore these, as we see people like Ed Milliband. Obviously, they have been influenced. With or without money.

    Mm Friday, 17 April 2015 06:38 PM

    Achchaaru - issue after issue in every thing!

    Mason Friday, 17 April 2015 06:57 PM

    Mr. Minister your sovereign rights are within the confines of Sri Lanka. ICC is a world body having much wider powers.Remember the former president was butting against the UN council getting nowhere.Let saner counsel prevail.

    anil Friday, 17 April 2015 07:32 PM

    Srinivasan the crooked President of ICC is the business partner of Nishantha Ranatunga.

    Sri Lankan Friday, 17 April 2015 06:02 PM

    No point trying to be nice and decent now. Expose the business connections between Sirinivasan of India and Dhar..dasa and N.shantha.

    TONY Friday, 17 April 2015 09:01 PM

    DONT FORGET THAT ICC IS BULLYING US. THEY WOULDNT DARE THREAT BCCI

    Krisnan Friday, 17 April 2015 09:26 PM

    This minister was with Dictator Mahinda who messed our international image. So, voters should now prepared get this type of people out from legislator.

    Hasitha Saturday, 18 April 2015 12:16 AM

    Thanks Yahapalanaya..you ruined national security of the country..ruined construction industry of the country..ruined economy of the country..and now ruined cricket also..and within just 100 days..wonderful yahapalana..

    nishiani Saturday, 18 April 2015 02:06 AM

    well done mr Minister!! For taking a bold stand.. regardless of what the ICC says you have taken steps to protect cricket.... lets fight for our rights!!

    Kalu Albert Saturday, 18 April 2015 03:53 AM

    All are rogues. If there is money involved, these rogues are approaching like vultures.

    Chandler Saturday, 18 April 2015 06:27 AM

    Whether or not right or wrong by ICC code of governance, all Sri Lankan cricket fans should support the stand taken by minister to clean up the game. It has been corrupt far too long with some doing monkey business. Good on you minister. your father would be very happy with your decision had he been alive today.

    mathew Saturday, 18 April 2015 07:45 AM

    hope the minister knows what he is doing.lets pray that this will also not go the way of the false promises made to us by our new government


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