SLC busted Rs 2.7million for Champions Trophy joyride
Sri Lanka Cricket is notorious for spending lavishly for matters not directly connected to the development or promotion of the sport. Last month, they doled out Rs. 2.7 million to send nine Executive Committee members on a “joyride” to watch the Champions Trophy in the cool climes of England.
The Champions Trophy cricket tournament was held from June 1-18 in the United Kingdom and these nine had their tickets and visa fees reimbursed by the generous sports body despite an earlier Board decision to not to do so. That decision had said that, except for the two Vice-Presidents and Chairman of the Financial Advisory Committee, all others travelling to England for the tournament should do so at their own cost. Almost at the same time Sri Lanka Cricket obtained over Rs. 200 million overdraft from a leading state bank to meet their day to day expenses.
‘In keeping with SLC’s stringent fiscal policies, the Executive Committee unanimously decided that all other ExCo and sub-committee members travelling to the UK for the Champions Trophy 2017 will do so at their own cost,” an SLC statement issued on May 22, 2017, said.
Out of the Rs. 2.7 million, Rs. 2.52 million went towards purchasing five business class tickets to Ravin Wickremaratne, Bandula Dissanayake, Sujeewa Godaliyadda, Murad Ismail and Krishantha Kapuwatte for prices ranging from Rs. 401,400 to Rs. 430,000. In addition, their visa fees on priority basis have also been reimbursed.
The Board had also purchased four economy class tickets for Priyantha Zoysa, Jagath Kalupahana, Somaratne Vidanapathiranage and Rupanath Wickremaratne to facilitate their visit to England for the Champions Trophy. This cost the SLC a tidy sum of Rs.424,233. The Board also spent Rs. 461,600 towards meeting the travel expenses five journalists to cover the ICC Championship Trophy in England.