Resolution to remove SLC administrators unanimously passed in Parliament

The  Joint Resolution calling for the  “removal of the officials including the Chairman of the corrupt Sri Lanka Cricket,” was unanimously passed in  Parliament  witout a vote, today evening (9). 

Opposition MPs demanded that a vote be held on the resolution by name, but government MPs insisted there was no need for a division since the resolution has been unanimously passed. Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena too agreed, saying the resolution has been passed unanimously. 

Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe closing the debate called for further investigations on alleged corruption by the SLC.

He also thanked President Ranil Wickremesinghe for agreeing to support moves to introduce a new Constitution to SLC through a Parliamentary Act as proposed by the report of a Committee headed by Justice K.T. Chitrasiri. 

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa had earlier tabled the resolution in Parliament on behalf of the opposition while it was seconded on the government side by Minister of Ports, Shipping & Aviation Nimal Siripala De Silva. 

Opening the debate, Mr Premadasa launched a scathing attack on the current “corrupt” administrators of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). By presenting a joint resolution sponsored by both the government and opposition, Parliament was sending a message to SLC administrators that they can no longer continue with their corrupt practices by relying on political divisions within the legislature. “That ends today. If they (SLC administrators) have a shred of dignity left, they should resign within the day,” he stressed. 

Today’s debate has two main objectives, the opposition leader added. One objective is to force out the current group of SLC administrators. The second objective is to go beyond that to present a roadmap and monitoring mechanism to ensure that SLC will no longer be subjected to political interference and mafia groups to become a den of corruption. “There is light at the end of the tunnel,” insisted Mr Premadasa, as he urged all 225 MPs to “take a principled stand” and join hands to expel the corrupt officials of SLC. 

Sports Minister  Ranasinghe meanwhile, informed Parliament that while the debate was underway, attempts were being made to withdraw USD 2 million from an account belonging to SLC from a state bank branch in Colombo. The branch manager had sought advice from senior officials on whether to authorise the release of these funds given the controversy surrounding SLC at this juncture, he further told Parliament. 

Mr Premadasa requested that the Speaker and the Sports Minister notify the President about this matter and urge him to intervene immediately to prevent funds from being withdrawn by SLC officials in this manner. 

Parliament had no power to determine whether this or that official is guilty of corruption. That is a matter for a special committee and SLC administrators are not bound to act as per an order given by Parliament, Minister of Ports, Shipping & Aviation Nimal Siripala De Silva noted. “However, we are passing this resolution today in respect of the public opinion that has been built up in the country surrounding SLC,” the minister added. “By passing this resolution, we are endorsing these public sentiments and sending a strong message to the administrators to stop doing these unnecessary acts and to step down from their posts.”

Meanwhile, security was stepped up around the cricket board in Colombo 7.

Pix by Priyanka Samaraweera