Irked members seek top hand intervention before SLC elections
View(s):With the incumbent office bearers of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) almost guaranteed re-election uncontested at the upcoming elections on March 31, calls are mounting for the Sports Minister to implement the Chitrasiri Committee’s recommendations before proceeding.
A committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge K.T. Chitrasiri drafted a constitution for SLC to restructure the cricket administration that has long being criticised for lack of transparency and accountability.
The nomination period for the elections closed on January 22, and barring any major developments, Shammi Silva and his team are poised to secure a fourth consecutive term. This comes after no challengers emerged, recognising the near-impossible task of garnering sufficient support from the voting base at this stage. Notably, the only rejected nomination was that of Deleepa Charles, who was put forward for the presidency by Galle Cricket Club. Meanwhile, the Kalutara Physical Culture Circle, whose voting rights were revoked following recent constitutional amendments, has filed an official complaint with the Sports Minister. They demand the election be suspended until a new cricket constitution, drafted by the Chitrasiri Committee, is implemented via Parliament.
The group alleges that SLC has violated members’ rights by introducing a constitutional amendment that limits election eligibility to individuals who have served as executive members within the past 15 years. They also accuse SLC of breaching its commitment to the Chitrasiri Committee recommendations made in the Court of Appeal, failing to audit recent financial statements through the Auditor General, and facing allegations of financial mismanagement highlighted by the Attorney General’s Department.
The complaint includes a letter from Additional Solicitor General Milinda Gunatillake, PC, dated November 7, 2023. The letter advised former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe that the Minister has the authority to investigate reported misconduct and irregularities in SLC’s financial audit related to the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. This week, opposition MP Hesha Vitharana raised the issue in Parliament, urging the Sports Minister to act decisively and implement the constitutional reforms proposed by the Chitrasiri Committee before going for election. Meanwhile, objections have been made by K. Mathivanan, a former Vice President of SLC, Anura Weerasinghe, the President Kalutara Physical Culture Circle and Sudarman Priyakara Silva citing that they were not given sufficient time to make their nominations. Nominations were opened on January 17 and was closed on 22, just four working days. Accordingly they have asked the election commission to cancel the nominations received and call nominations again.
| Accepted nomination list | |
| President: Shammi Silva, Jayantha Dharmadasa, Samantha Dodanwala Vice-President: Jayantha Dharmadasa, Raveen Wickremaratne, Samantha Dodanwala Secretary: Chryshantha Kapuwatte, Samantha Dodanwala,Bandula Dissanayake Assistant Secretary: Chryshantha Kapuwatte, Samantha Dodanwala, Bandula Dissanayake, Nalin Aponso Treasure: Sujeeva Godaliyadda, Lasantha Wickremasinghe Assistant Treasurer: Sujeeva Godaliyadda, Lasantha Wickremasinghe |