Ranatunga’s role, a conflict of interest: COPE

27 October 2012 02:59 am - 21 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Chairman Upali Dharmadasa said yesterday he would obtain legal advice on Nishantha Ranatunga’s dual role as SLC Secretary and CEO of Carlton Sports Network (CSN) when the parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) directs him to do so in writing.

“I have not received any intimation from COPE either in writing or verbally. I will take necessary action if and when I receive the direction in writing,” Mr. Dharmadasa told Daily Mirror.

In a summary on ‘Poor Accountability and Hazy Transactions’ at a number of state, banking and semi-state institutions, COPE had instructed that corrective, disciplinary and legal actions be taken against those responsible for misappropriation and that these matters be referred to the CID and the Bribery Commission.

COPE Chairman and Senior Minister D.E.W. Gunasekara on Thursday presented an Interim Report in Parliament on inquiries conducted by COPE last year on 235 public enterprises.

Commenting on the SLC Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga’s role as Carlton Sports Network CEO while holding the top executive’s job at the SLC, the interim report stated that, “When the agreement between SLC and the CSN was signed, the SLC Secretary who also serves as CSN CEO is a matter which led to clear Conflict of Interest,”

COPE has directed SLC Chairman Upali Dharmadasa to take legal advice on this matter.

On the much hyped IIFA cricket match held on the sidelines of the Indian International Film Association film festival in June, 2010 in Colombo, the report states that the sale of tickets of the IIFA Cricket match had been given to a private company contrary on the directive of the Minister and the ticket income which was separately collected by the SLC had not been handed over to the Tourism Promotion Bureau up to the date of the inquiry.

Referring to the promoter of one of the main traditional exports of the country, The Sri Lanka Tea Board, the COPE interim reports states that although Rs.9,038,930 had been paid by the SLTB to a private institution for the installation of a computer system, the work remained uncompleted even after seven years and according to the agreement the system should have been installed and handed over within 90 days.

Furthermore, some of the components installed several years ago had been outdated by now, the report stated.

“The Committee was not confined only to the examinations on the Auditor General’s reports. Whenever there is an issue with special public interest, it has called for information from the relevant authorities with regard to such matters,” the senior minister said.

He said the Auditor General had directed that the purchase of substandard fuel by the Petroleum Corporation be probed and the National Savings Bank was summoned to answer questions on the controversial purchase of The Finance Company shares.

The senior minister said the importance of amending the existing rules and regulations with regard to the children and youth were broadly discussed with the Child Protection Authority as they had not been updated for the past 75 years.

He said the establishment of private universities, the education system and the degree courses conducted in the Universities and the measures that could be taken to develop the University education were discussed with the officials of the University Grants Commission. (SAJ)

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Comments - 21

Lobo Saturday, 27 October 2012 06:21 AM

Wrong is wrong. No need to wait for 'intimation' from anyone to take proper action.

richardson Monday, 29 October 2012 01:51 AM

Horses have escaped, now only the donkeys are there !!!

Alponso Sunday, 28 October 2012 12:42 PM

Upali, why do'nt you mind your own business at Nawaloka ?

Bonda Sunday, 28 October 2012 06:30 AM

unless ofcourse the president is in the know and involved in it too.

mercy Sunday, 28 October 2012 06:27 AM

Blatant conflict of Interest .Highly unethical Without any prejudice needs immediate rectification .Mr Dharmadasa needs to sacked since he too is part of the game plan

Shai Saturday, 27 October 2012 10:54 AM

Why EPF and Skynetwork spectrom deals are not included.

silva Saturday, 27 October 2012 10:21 AM

Shameless people who will stoop to any levels to fill their own pockets.

Jagath Saturday, 27 October 2012 07:01 AM

The president of SLC has any brains , should not wait for instructions in writing. Any fool will know that there is a conflict of interest in Ranatunga's case?

anura Saturday, 27 October 2012 06:49 AM

All that are riding the wave of today's power should remember a time will come that they have to beg for mercy from the public. That day is not too far as the losses caused to the public is reaching huge proportions without accountability.

Nodrog Saturday, 27 October 2012 06:47 AM

Al rasa...cricket is a waste of time. If all play cricket there won't be anyone to pluck coconuts :))

Lobo Saturday, 27 October 2012 06:24 AM

Multi-tasking is one thing....conflict of interest is something else and what he's doing is not only unethical but immoral.

Doctor who!! Saturday, 27 October 2012 03:21 AM

DUAL CORE PROCESSOR works nice when it's new but when you install loads of application it will clash with one to another. Upali Dharmadasa's point is fair. May be Nishantha is capable of MULTI TASKING..........

Samitha Silva Saturday, 27 October 2012 05:53 AM

Are You Sleeping all this time? This is a eye wash.

SudhuPancha Saturday, 27 October 2012 05:34 AM

what happened to the previous cope reports? nothing of course!!!!!!!!!!!
So why should this be different????????

Calistus Jayatilleke Saturday, 27 October 2012 05:19 AM

Regardless of whether Ranatunge is capable of multi-tasking, the whole affair stinks as it is immoral and results in conflicts of interest. But then, everyone knows the roots of Carlton Sports Network and absolutely nothing will happen because everything depends on who the ultimate beneficiary is.

Kehelmala Rambukwela Saturday, 27 October 2012 04:43 AM

Money money money is the name of the game.

Hoodwinked Saturday, 27 October 2012 04:31 AM

Aney thoththa Baba, he has to wait until cope to bring out the in conflict of interest issue. He being chairman of SLSC and heading so many lucrative private companies did not know conveniently that their was an issue. Billions have flowed under the bridge into the pockets of the mightiest and be assured that the matter will be dropped off like what we do in the loo.

Al Rasa Saturday, 27 October 2012 04:23 AM

This is what has happened to Sri Lanka Cricket all infighting.
Then how can we expect a good cricket side? When Dr N M Perera, Minister Gamini Dissanayake and so on heading the board no conflicts it went on improvement to improvement.

kautilya Saturday, 27 October 2012 03:55 AM

It is like hitting your head against a rock that is blue.

mamath Saturday, 27 October 2012 03:53 AM

shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted..ha ha..

ICC Saturday, 27 October 2012 03:22 AM

Seems to the Every Ship has started to crack ( the craks alreayd there ) Will these be patched or all get kicked out.. Over Hon DEW

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Ranatunga’s role, a conflict of interest: COPE

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