Sports Minister writes to ICC full members on SLC
A media release from the Ministry of Sports says the minister has personally written to all ICC full members to explain to them of the recent controversies surrounding Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the intended action he is planning to take.
“I would like to emphasise that interim measures will only be taken to establish good governance principles, uphold the rule of law, and create a system of governance that promotes the ethics and spirit of the game we all love”, his letter to BCCI states.
Sports Minister and SLC were at loggerheads for a while and his decision to advise the rest of the ICC members suggests that the minister has finally decided on a course of action to restore good governance and transparency at SLC.
“Since 2015, Sri Lanka Cricket has seen a gradual degradation in the quality of Cricket played internationally and locally. Whereas, Sri Lanka Cricket has been besieged with complaints of player disciplinary issues, management corruption, financial misconduct, and match-fixing allegations”.
“Over the years, multiple ministers before me have initiated inquiries into the alleged misconduct of Sri Lanka Cricket. These investigations have resulted in several reports that substantiate the claims against the officials of Sri Lanka Cricket. Due to political crisis and disasters, no action was taken on those reports”.
“However, the recent revelations and Audit Reports published by the Independent Auditor General Department of the country warrants immediate intervention as the minister in charge to bring the perpetrators of financial crimes before the legal system and to establish good governance and transparency in the Sri Lanka Cricket administration. A copy of the latest audit report by the Auditor General Department is attached,” the letter reads.
A copy of the Audit report has also been shared among all ICC members. In his letter he has denied any political interference in the cricket administration.
“I want to stress the fact that neither myself nor any governmental authority has impinged on the operations of Sri Lanka Cricket in any aspect. Further, it has become a habit by the part of Sri Lanka Cricket to hold the threat of suspension of ICC membership as a symbol of blackmail, not to act against their own financial misconduct,” the letter further says.