SLC overhaul or just a brilliant disguise?
View(s):Is it a typical Sri Lankan administrative faux pas or a brilliant and calculated move that took flight above the king, queen, knights and bishops before ending up in a checkmate? Yet, at the same time did they use any names as pawns. These moves by this brilliant grandmaster will come to light later.
A month ago, Sri Lanka Cricket was embroiled in a tug-of-war with the Ranatunga and Dharmadasa factions trying to turn the wave towards their respective camps. This was evident in all walks of cricket in spite of an ICC World Cup tournament at hand. From the transfer of a lowly peon to the appointment of the national coach and other numerous nitty-gritties, the pull went on.
The election or the AGM was to be held during the World Cup, but, with the graceful permission of the new Sports Minister, Navin Dissanayake, the executive committee managed to push it back by a month to April 30 and nominations were called from March 30.
When nominations day was nearing, one of the camps feared that it did not have the soldiers to win the war, but had a Trojan horse within its ranks. On March 30, the elected (if you can call it so) body was dissolved and an Interim Committee was appointed.
On stage are some of the finest names. This column itself has been opining about the involvement of experts in the calibre of Sidath Wettimuny and Kushil Gunasekera. Yet, with the prevalent system it was not to be. The very voting system of cricket in Sri Lanka is corrupt and there is no place for Gunasekeras and Wettimunys in that system. They do not scratch backs. Neither do they need anyone to do so. Yet, for the cause of the game that they played and love they may take a step towards the unknown.
Yet what I could not understand is how Nuski Mohammed, the treasurer of the dissolved administration, was named in this committee. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was finding fault with the media for criticising the move to form the Interim Committee saying that committee that was in charge was corrupt. But, here is the treasurer who guarded its monetary policies and even went public saying that the SLC is not ready to pay the monies that it owed the government.
Another questionable inclusion is Jayananda Warnaweera. He has been made a committee member. Has he been brought in to guard the southern vote block at a future SLC election?
Other than these two appointments, we have no grouse about the rest and we are sure that they could serve the game in a meaningful manner, if they are given the proper opportunities and the time frame.
But, talking of the time frame, the ICC already has shown the red light on the newly appointed interim committee. In his letter to the SLC executive committee, ICC CEO David Richardson says:
“I note from reports in the media of today’s date that the government of Sri Lanka intends to form an interim committee to run the cricketing affairs of Sri Lanka Cricket.
“Whilst we have no further or substantive information about the accuracy or otherwise of these media reports, I just wanted to flag with you the risk that such action could put Sri Lanka Cricket in breach of Article 2.9(B) of ICC’s Articles of Association which states as follows: ‘Where a government interferes in the administration of cricket by a Member, including but not limited to interference in operational matters, the selection and management of teams, the appointment of coaches or support personnel, the Executive Board shall have the power to suspend or refuse to recognize that Member…’.
“Of course, a full and proper investigation would need to be carried out, but any unjustified interference might expose Sri Lanka Cricket to the possibility of having its membership suspended by the ICC Board, which would have considerably damaging consequences, including the loss of the right for Sri Lanka Cricket to participate in ICC’s global events.
“I very much hope that Sri Lanka Cricket and the government of Sri Lanka will be able to resolve any issues that they might have in a mutually agreeable fashion and look forward to receiving your update on what exactly has occurred or is transpiring. “If you have any questions about this letter or would like our further assistance in this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me or the ICC’s General Counsel, Iain Higgins.”
This is a matter for concern. It was the very Sports Minister’s father, Gamini Dissanayake, who fought the way to get the little island nation the full member status in 1981.
We cannot afford to put that credential at stake for anyone’s fancy or fantasy. The Sports Minister should act with wisdom on this issue and matters regarding other sports.
On March 11, National Olympic Committee Secretary General Maxwell de Silva wrote to the minister on some other concerns. His letter on ‘Amendments to Sports Regulations’ states:
“We refer to the discussions we had with you, on 6th of February 2015, when we briefed you regarding several agreements and understandings reached by the Ministry of Sports with the International Olympic Committee and the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka, during November 2013 in Lausanne. We would also like to draw your attention to the road map agreed upon by the parties for complying with the guidelines laid down in the Olympic Charter, copy of which was handed over to you during our discussions on 6th February. The committee appointed by the, then Sports Minister Hon. Aluthgamage in 2014, had many meetings and reached consensus on the amendments to the Sports Law/Regulations which would have gazetted in December 2014/ January 2015 but due to the Presidential elections in January, this was not achieved.“Upon considering the facts that we placed before you, you were kind enough to re-appoint a subcommittee again, to liaise with the NOC SL in order to review the existing Sports Regulations and suggest amendments that would be mutually agreeable to bring it in line with the requirements of the Olympic Charter.
“This committee is now in the process of finalizing the required amendments and … we would earnestly request you to kindly consider postponing the impending elections of the National Sports Associations, until such time the existing Sports Regulations are amended as per the road map agreed with the IOC.
Planning the way ahead? Moments before the first official appearance in front of the journos along with the Sports Minister, Sidath Wettimuni and some members of the Interim Committee have a casual chat - Pix by Amila Gamage
“As the road map agreed upon at Lausanne required elections of all NSAs be held only after amendments are made in the existing Sports Regulations and the consequently the necessary Constitutional changes in the respective NSAs until the amendments to the Sports Regulations are gazetted.”
These are problems that cropped up with the Sports Law and the different interpretations of it by different Sports Ministers. These are not done by the Ministers itself, but by individuals with vested interests who act as if they are the most competent on the subject and are sincere in what they say. Yet, this is also a bombshell situation that needs prudent handling.
We at this end are happy with the appointment of Sidath Wettimuny and the new committee and we have expressed our concerns on some of the aspects that we feel should be pointed out.
We too believe that the SLC administration needs changes in a big way and the entire structure has to be revamped. But, we do not think it could be achieved with a move of this nature.