Mon, 20 May 2024 Today's Paper

No necessity to take action against SLC until Auditor General’s report received: Sports Minister

1 February 2023 03:54 pm - 2     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe through his lawyer today informed the Court of Appeal that there is no necessity to take action against Sri Lanka Cricket until a comprehensive report from the Auditor General on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) T20 world cup-2023 expenditure is received.

President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena appearing for the Sports Minister made these remarks when a writ petition filed by SLC was called before the Court of Appeal.

In its writ petition, the SLC is seeking an order quashing the report submitted by the inquiry panel headed by Retired High Court Judge Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena appointed by the Minister of Sport to inquire into the allegations levelled against the national cricket team during the T20 World Cup 2022.

Meanwhile, Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justices Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola issued notices on the respondents returnable for February 27.
 
The SLC had filed this petition on the basis that the contents of the said report has superseded the mandate of the Committee. The Sports Minister had appointed a five-member-committee to investigate cricket related matters especially during the last T20 world cup-2023 in Australia. 
 
The committee had made several recommendations including the alleged misuse of funds, alleged influence of the ‘Born Again’ sect on the Sri Lankan cricketers, the influence of social media and action against cricketer Dhanushka Gunatilleke. 

President's Counsel Romesh de Silva appeared for the SLC. President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena with Milham Mohammed appeared for the Minister of Sports. Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena PC appeared for the Sports Ministry Secretary. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)


  Comments - 2

  • cricketer Wednesday, 01 February 2023 07:45 PM

    The Sri Lanka Cricket Board contributes very little money to the governing body the ICC and is subsidised by the BCCI( Board of Control for Cricket in India) who contribute 60% of the profits. The Indian Premier League ( IPL) which is affliated to the BCCi conducts the Lanka Premier league organises all the advertising cicket commentry etc. on behalf of SLC and pockets out a major share of the profits otherwise SLC will be financally bankrupt with not many international matches at home and a small audience of spectators.

    RM Thursday, 02 February 2023 01:41 PM

    The Minister of Sports says there is no necessity to take action against SLC till the Auditor General's report is received. He must know that the Auditor General will only pay attention to financial matters. There were many wrong actions taken by SLC that led to the destruction of Sri Lankan cricket such as increasing the number of First Division teams to 26 when all other test-playing countries with much higher populations have between 6-10 such teams, not providing adequate facilities to cricketers such as large grounds with fast wickets and not paying attention to fitness and discipline, etc. These wrongdoings were highlighted by the Inquiry Committee and the Minister must take action against SLC even if Auditor's General report is not highly critical of SLC.


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment