Shammi Silva set to return for another term as SLC President

19 May 2023 06:05 pm - 5 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The incumbent Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) office-bearers are set to be re-appointed for another term when SLC conducts its Annual General Meeting tomorrow.

Barring any late drama, Shammi Silva will return as President, Jayantha Dharmadasa and Ravin Wickramaratne as Vice Presidents, with Mohan de Silva to continue as Secretary, with no opposing nominations to challenge a re-election.

Their re-appointment comes in the backdrop of an International Cricket Council (ICC) investigation into political interference by the Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, after SLC officials complained to the ICC.

The ICC appointed a three-member committee to carry out this investigation, comprising of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah, the ICC’s Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja and Bangladesh Cricket Board President Nazmul Hassan, with Khwaja visiting the island last week to meet SLC officials and the Sports Minister.

The ICC Deputy Chairman is reported to have asked both parties—SLC and the Sports Minister—to work together to create a roadmap for necessary reform, highlighting the ICC’s opposition to political interference into the administration of the sport.

“The ICC did brief us again (after meeting both SLC and the Minister), stating that our grievances have been conveyed to the Minister,” SLC Secretary de Silva told the Daily Mirror.

“The Minister was informed that our grievances must be addressed. And while we are open to working with him in formulating a roadmap for reform at SLC, it is important that some of the issues that are delaying our impending work are resolved.”

“Some of the previous ministers have been understanding of these issues and been supportive of us, but ever since the new National Sports Council (NSC) was appointed under Minister Ranasinghe, we have been facing challenges,” de Silva added.

The Minister has raised concerns about the lavish spending by SLC in sending its officials to the United Arab Emirates for the Asia Cup and Australia for the T20 World Cup last year.

Concerns were also raised about the national cricket selection committee, with the Arjuna Ranatunga-led NSC not ratifying SLC’s nominations for the panel, stating that more qualified options were available.

The relationship between SLC and the Minister further soured when the latter brought in a gazette that limited the terms of office and placed age limits at sports associations, which appeared specifically targeting incumbent SLC officials.

SLC were among a handful of sports associations that successfully petitioned the Court of Appeal to issue a stay order against the implementation of the gazette. (SMD)

Comments - 5

A Disgusted Cricket Lover Friday, 19 May 2023 08:11 PM

What ICC is telling the Minister of Sports is to let the corrupt and inept executives of SLC continue holding their positions forever when the standard of cricket in Sri Lanka deteriorates. The inquiry committee led by a retired judge and eminent persons has shown how corrupt and inept SLC is.

Is our country powerless against the corruption of SLC Saturday, 20 May 2023 05:07 AM

SLC has office holder elected without opposition. Seems like a mafia, or other corrupt organisation. ICC may complain, but better the corruption in SLC be cleaned out by any means. Revenue loss from loss of SLC income for a year is less problem, compared to the terrible example of corrupt and wasteful practices they parade. Enough of Minister apologising to Tom, Dick and Harry countries, and doing political interference in judicial matters (Danushka court case) overseas. Time he did whatever it takes to get rid of the mafia group in control of SLC, whatever the shorter term costs.

Anura Nanayakkara Saturday, 20 May 2023 08:51 AM

No responsible sports official should be allowed to hold their positions for more than 3 times. SLC president seems to be more powerful than Sri Lanka president. Everyone tries to grab the gold koffers of SLC for ever.

GoSL looking a complete lot of fools - SLC mafia wins again Saturday, 20 May 2023 09:23 AM

With SLC having it's officials elected unopposed the government must do something to stamp out corruption in cricket more. Let SLC do international cricket, and government start a new body for handling all local cricket matters and make all clubs be only with that and no SLC. Even the LPL should be pulled away from any SLC say and completely into a local body that has young people in the official roles.

SLC hits Minister's 3rd ball in a row again hit for a six Saturday, 20 May 2023 10:26 AM

Ministers and government have lost so many times against SLC. Now even after all the political interventions, the SLC used the Sri Lanka courts to end government intervention. Now the same terrible officials will be voted in again. Why can't the government end the bad practices and get rid of the board of the SLC?

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Shammi Silva set to return for another term as SLC President

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