Another black mark for business cricket

Sri Lanka Cricket and commercial rights holder make pre-emptive strikes after team owner arrested

By Callistus Davy

Ever since it began, the so-called Lanka Premier League (LPL) cricket tournament raised questions over its genuine image with manipulations, disputes and raw-deals being the name of the game while at the same time pointing out to the dreaded corruption and match-fixing syndrome.

The LPL, although some trumpet blowers project it as beneficial to Sri Lanka and its budding players, is largely business cricket where everyone involved takes home a whopping packet by domestic standards. 

The saga has now raised its head again with the owner of one team reportedly arrested by police sleuths from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for the prevention of offenses relating to sport.

The arrest has once again brought shame on both Sri Lanka Cricket, now run by what is called a Transition Committee that replaced a previous board that was also tainted over allegations, and the custodian of the LPL’s commercial rights known as IPG which is a foreign based organisation.

Both were quick to issue media statements claiming they will do everything within their rights to ensure the LPL is corruption-free and named the Jaffna Kings (not really with players from the north) whose owner they say is facing an investigation.

The LPL began yesterday in Colombo with the Jaffna Kings among the five teams in the fray.

“As the governing body of the Lanka Premier League, Sri Lanka Cricket reiterates its unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of the tournament and will not tolerate any form of corruption, misconduct or foul play by any stakeholder associated with the league”, SLC said in a lengthy statement while emphasising it will assist the SIU. 

Commercial rights owner IPG claimed all team owners have gone through a mandatory process before buying up teams.

“IPG wishes to reiterate that all franchise owners participating in the LPL have undergone the requisite ownership approval process, including integrity and due diligence assessments conducted by the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in consultation with the International Cricket Council (ICC), prior to their participation in the tournament.

“IPG fully supports Sri Lanka Cricket and the relevant authorities in ensuring that any investigation is conducted independently, fairly, and in accordance with due process. We will extend our full cooperation should any assistance be requested in connection with the matter”, IPG said in its media statement.

According to legal experts, even a spectator who has bought a ticket to witness matches in the LPL can make a police complaint if he or she has been cheated by teams or players under performing in the tournament which can be connected to unlawful activities.