CA fixes 8 June for respondents’ objections in case filed to revamp SLC constitution

• Case taken for mention yesterday before 2-member CA bench
• Respondents’ objections fixed for 8 June 

The writ application filed by a group of former international cricketers and eminent personalities was mentioned yesterday at the Court of Appeal for notice returnable, and the matter was fixed for the respondents’ objections for 8 June.

The writ application was filed seeking a court order directing Sport Minister Namal Rajapaksa to use his authority under the Sports Law to promulgate regulations pertaining to the composition and constitution of Sri Lanka Cricket, to make it an independent body.

The matter was taken before President of the Court of Appeal Justice Arjuna Obeysekera and Justice Mayadunne Corea.

The 12 petitioners in the case are former cricketers Michael Tissera, Sidath Wettimuny, Muttiah Muralitharan, Justice (Retd.) Saleem Marsoof PC, Dinal Phillips PC, Kushil Prasanna Gunasekera, Dr. Palitha Kohona, Rienzie Wijetilleke, Vijaya Malalasekera, Ananda Gamini Gardiya Punchihewa, Somasundaram Skandakumar and Thilan Wijesinghe.

The respondents include Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva and 17 other office bearers of SLC.

The petitioners’ plea is for the court to issue a mandate in the nature of a writ of mandamus, directing the first respondent to “duly move and/or to cause urgent legislation to be passed by Parliament in the form of a dedicated Act of Parliament/Statute to govern and administer Sri Lanka Cricket and/or such other body established by such statute, for the purpose of governing and administering the game of cricket in Sri Lanka, and to move such legislation to accord Sri Lanka Cricket and/or such other body, an independent and autonomous status, free from external interference and influence, and also rendering such body accountable in law, by and through the Minister, to Parliament, or to the Cabinet of Ministers and/or to His Excellency the President and/or to such independent authority/entity as permissible in law or as to Your Lordships’ Court shall seem appropriate.”

Sanjeeva Jayawardena PC with Dr. Milhan Mohamed appeared for the petitioners, instructed by Sudath Perera Associates. Sumathi Dharmawardena PC appeared for the Attorney General’s Department.

All respondents except SLC Executive Committee Member Ashantha de Mel (10th Respondent), were represented by attorneys-at-law Romesh de Silva PC, Kalinga Indatissa PC and Kuvera de Zoysa PC.