Bans temporarily lifted on Panadura and Kalutara

By Madushka Balasuriya

Sri Lanka Cricket’s unique brand of controlled chaos reached new heights after the board announced that the bans on 22 players from the Panadura Sports Club and Kalutara Physical Culture Club would now be suspended until the completion of an appeal process. 

The players were each banned for one year from all cricketing activities for their role in manipulating the result of a Tier B first-class match in January, while the captains of Panadura and Kalutara - Chamara Silva and Manoj Deshapriya - received two-year bans.

The lifting of the suspensions, SLC said, was done upon the recommendation of the Appeal Committee comprising Oshara Panditharathne, Channa Weerackody and Samantha Dodanwela. The committee is expected to return with their final verdict in two to four weeks, until which time the players of Panadura and Kalutara are free to resume their cricketing activities - though they will not be considered for national contracts during that time.

The commencement of a formal appeal process follows complaints by the two clubs, however - crucially - not by their players. The fallout from the initial verdict saw Silva and his teammates seek out legal representation, as well as distance themselves from Panadura SC. 

Silva has claimed that he was never given an adequate opportunity, nor was he informed, to come speak before the original inquiry panel - something SLC contests - and has since called for a fresh inquiry into the allegations.

PC Kalinga Indatissa, speaking on behalf of the players of Panadura SC, has stated that while his clients would be willing to speak before an appeal committee, they would still continue to call for a fresh inquiry. Accepting an appeal committee, he said, would be akin to accepting the original verdict.

This, however, is where the exact scope of the appointed appeal committee becomes somewhat murky. While a traditional appeal committee would merely be expected to review the already existing evidence in formulating their verdict, this new committee is actively pursuing fresh evidence from the players of the clubs. 

SLC also stated that, should they so wish, the committee could even request “special powers” from the Executive Committee to interview individuals who may be implicated in the course of the appeals process. If this turns out to be the case, it would be a significant departure from the stance of the original inquiry panel, which did not see fit to investigate any individuals apart from those who had charges laid against them - i.e. the players - during the course of its seven-month investigation.

To muddy the waters further, there is also the small matter of a potential ministerial inquiry by the Sri Lankan Sports Ministry. While no official announcement has been made as yet, Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera last week assured the appointment of a committee to look into the original allegations. Jayasekera also made it a point to note that his inquiry would investigate both players and club officials alike.

Kumar, Mahela set to be included in SLC committee to revive cricket: Report

Colombo: Former captains Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene in all likelihood will be drafted in the high-powered committee, formed to revive country’s cricket, which has been on a downward spiral.

According to sources in Sports Ministry, Sangakkara and Jayawardene may join Aravinda de Silva and corporate honcho Hemaka Amarasuriya in the committee.

The committee will recommend corrective measures to Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera short and long term measures. There will also be a senior Sports Ministry official in the committee.

Amarasuriya twice headed politically-appointed interim committees to run the cricket administration since the late 1990s.

The move was sequel to a recent meeting of all stakeholders conducted by the ministry to check the disastrous performance of the national team.

Sri Lanka team recently had been whitewashed 0-9 by Virat Kohli-led India with defeats against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

The Thilanga Sumathipala headed Sri Lanka Cricket came under severe criticism from the fans, which culminated in ugly demonstrations at grounds during the Indian series.

Jayawardene had called for a overhauling of the domestic club championship where he believed there are too many mediocre sides lowering the standard of the competition. Both former greats could not be reached for comment. (Press Trust of India)