Cricket: SLC anti-corruption man on his way-out

Now it is the beleaguered SLC’s anti-corruption man Lakshman de Silva himself who is in a spot of bother. 

The former Sri Lanka Police Officer turned ICC anti-corruption sleuth has been sidelined by the Lankan cricket administration after he was in the midst of a row with tour organising committee official Aruna de Silva, also of SLC, during the India-Sri Lanka first Test match in Galle. 

It is said that the rift broke out after Lakshman de Silva told the media that he had a difference opinion with an official during the match, but, since he had he been given only a six month extension he was trying to bear it up, and he was not certain how things would turn out to be. 

However, now it seems that the days are really numbered for the ex-police officer who up to now had been performing a commendable job. 

During internationals, he was also on the prowl looking to nab people trying to make a quick buck through spot fixing. 

However, he was a disappointed man because whenever a person is caught for spot fixing, he could only evict the person from the venue, because the prevailing laws of the country are not sufficient to prosecute such culprits. 

Ironically, the SLC has already brought in a person to understudy Lakshman de Silva till his contract expires. 

It is leaned that former Ananda College fast bowler Ayesh Weerakkody who also shone as an Assistant Superintendent of Police has been added to the anti-corruption unit. 

Even prior to this, the SLC has replaced employees while their full contracts were on. 

For instance former Cricket Manager Charith Senanayake was replaced by Ranjith Fernando after Sri Lanka's tour of Zimbabwe a few months ago and Senanayake earned a holiday with full pay till his contract was over. 

An SLC insider said: “Anyhow we were looking for a replacement for Lakshman de Silva, mainly due to the age factor and he was given only a six-month extension and in the mean time we have put in Weerakkody to understudy till such time he could take over."