Cricket crisis deepens off the field in Sri Lanka

•  Minister Roshan Ranasinghe insists President must make a choice between him and SLC Chief Shammi Silva
•  Levels more shocking allegations of corruption against SLC administrators including match-fixing charges
•  Launches scathing attack on judiciary in Parliament over injunction issued against Cricket Interim Committee appointed by him
•  Parliament to debate cricket debacle today to adopt a resolution against SLC
•  SLC appoints own committee to probe irregularities while assuring its commitment to good governance
•  President Wickremesinghe says merely appointing an interim committee will not suffice to address crisis adequately
•  10-member committee led by former SC Judge Justice K.T. Chitrasiri submit final report; suggests overhaul of administration of SL’s most loved sport

President Ranil Wickremesinghe

Minister Roshan Ranasinghe

SLC President Shammi Silva

The country’s ongoing cricketing crisis escalated off the field yesterday as the rift between  President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe only widened after the latter delivered an ultimatum whilst the Opposition secured a crucial debate in Parliament today.In a bombshell statement addressing the controversy, Minister of Sports Roshan Ranasinghe insisted the President must now make a choice between him and the Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva. 

“He must decide if he wants Roshan Ranasinghe or ‘Betting’ Shammi,” the Minister declared.

Ranasinghe has been on a war path since he accused President Ranil Wickremesinghe of attempting to pressure him to revoke the appointment of the Sri Lanka Cricket Interim Committee. Ranasinghe had set up this committee to restructure the SLC and uplift the state of the sport. But the court’s injunction against the Interim Committee this week has only served to intensify the Minister’s ire.

Ranasinghe claimed that those with vested interest are attempting to mislead the President with false information regarding cricket. “There is also involvement from certain members of the President’s Media Unit in this scheme. The President’s security was compromised when he attended the LPL finals, as some underworld figures who served as bodyguards for SLC chief Shammi Silva were present. Can this be condoned?” he asked. 

In a shocking revelation, the Minister also accused SLC administrators of being involved in match-fixing and called for the confiscation of their passports to prevent them from fleeing Sri Lanka.

Furthermore, the Minister emphasised the necessity of conducting a forensic audit on all financial transactions related to SLC since 2017. He cited instances of alleged malpractices, such as purchasing T20 World Cup tickets without a tender process and depositing $ 20,000 in an Australian bank, along with unpaid dues of $ 300,000 to players.

Additionally, the Minister claimed to have reported these issues to the ICC and the Asian Cricket Conference, expressing frustration over the lack of action taken in response to his complaints.

Ranasinghe also launched a scathing attack on the country’s courts and the judiciary in parliament, for its decision to issue an injunction against the Interim Committee appointed by him.

The Minister criticised the court’s decision, claiming it was made with a one-sided perspective, and he levelled several grave allegations against the judiciary, including potential conflicts of interest. Furthermore, the Sports Minister accused the Attorney General of not backing the ministry and of acting in a manner that shields corrupt cricket officials from accountability.

Meanwhile, the opposition successfully secured a parliamentary debate scheduled for today at 1 p.m. regarding the SLC which is facing severe allegations of fraud and corruption.

During the parliamentary session yesterday, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa proposed that an immediate resolution should be adopted to remove corrupt officials from their positions. The opposition has pledged their support to the Minister of Sports, while Ranasinghe appealed to all 225 members of Parliament, as well as citizens to come together and work collectively to remove those responsible for corruption in the SLC. 

Amidst the commotion in parliament regarding the situation at the SLC, the 10-member committee led by former Supreme Court Judge Justice K.T Chitrasiri submitted their final report to the cabinet sub-committee appointed by President Wickremesinghe earlier this week. 

The committee was appointed by the Minister of Sports in February this year to formulate a new constitution for the sports body. The final report has included provisions mandating transparent procedures to be implemented. 

In yet another surprising development yesterday SLC following a Court order staying the interim team, appointed its own committee to investigate the information disclosed in an audit report on the organisation. 

President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s stance is that the current crisis in Sri Lanka’s most popular sport, cricket, is intricate and profound. He maintains that merely appointing an interim committee will not suffice to address the issue adequately. In his view, to advance the sport and find a lasting solution, a permanent and substantive approach is necessary, the President’s Media Department said. 

The Chitrasiri Committee Report will be tabled and discussed by the ruling party in the debate held in Parliament today.

This new draft constitution suggests a comprehensive overhaul of the method for appointing members to the Sri Lanka Cricket Board, as well as changes in its composition, administration and management.

According to the proposed constitution, the Sri Lanka Cricket Board will be governed by a Board of Directors composed of 18 members, each appointed for a 4-year term. These directors will be entrusted with the authority to make policy decisions and the power to execute these decisions will be vested in a Director-General appointed by the Board of Directors.

Out of these 18 directors, 8 will be appointed directors and the responsibility for recommending them will rest with an expert committee consisting of 6 members. This committee will include the Chairman of the National Sports Council, the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka or a nominee from that institute, the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka or a nominee from that association, the Chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka or a nominee from that chamber, the Chairperson of the Institute of Directors of Sri Lanka and the Chairperson of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants Sri Lanka (CIMA Sri Lanka) or a nominee from that institute.

The remaining 10 board members will be chosen through an official election process. This election will select 5 directors to represent cricket clubs, 1 for the Players’ Association, 1 for the School Cricket Association, 1 for the Women’s Cricket Association, 1 for the Umpires’ Association, and 1 for the Coaches’ Association.

Additionally, a proposal has been made to establish 12 committees dedicated to various aspects of cricket, each with a formal mandate. These committees include the Cricket Committee, Audit Committee, Related Party Transactions Committee, Nominations Committee, Selection Committee, Tournament Committee, Facilities Development Committee, Rules, Arbitration and Disciplinary Committee, Investment Committee, Anti-Doping and Anti-Corruption Committee and Remuneration Committee.

In a press release titled “SLC’s ongoing commitment to transparency and integrity” the organisation announced the decision to appoint the committee consisting of retired judges S.I Imam, Rohini Marasinghe and Irangani Perera. 

The SLC said the committee will inquire into and recommend appropriate action in relation to the references contained in the Audit Report dated 1 September 2023, issued by the Auditor General and make recommendations and formulate strategic actions to ensure the prevention of corruption, malpractices, irregularities, misconduct, and failures at the organisation. 

“SLC values the public’s trust and is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of governance within cricket administration. We are confident that the committee will play a crucial role in ensuring that the sport of cricket in Sri Lanka is conducted with integrity, fairness, and adherence to best practices and to clear any misconception among the general public,” it added.