SLC hopeful of 31 May elections

• SLC hopes to hold elections at AGM on 31 May so as to be able to pass annual accounts
• Beyond 31 May interim committee will be put in charge as per Sports Law
• Present SLC Board is likely to then remain in charge as an Interim Committee, but will be stripped of power to pass accounts at an AGM
• Though SLC constitution dictates elections can only be held 40 days after being announced, SLC believes this can be bypassed as nomination period has passed

By Madushka Balasuriya

Sri Lanka Cricket has announced an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) with a view to holding board elections on 31 May - the day the board’s term is set to end - subject to approval from the Sports Ministry. 

The EGM will take place on 19 May, coincidentally the date elections were originally set to take place prior to being postponed on technical grounds, where the SLC membership will appoint an independent Election Committee.

As per the SLC Constitution, members need to be given at least 14 days’ notice ahead of an EGM and then a further 40 days must lapse before an Annual General Meeting and an election can be held. While this would normally prevent elections being held until the end of June at the earliest, the SLC has sought permission from the country’s Sports Minister to hold elections early, so as to be able to pass the year’s audited accounts at the AGM. 

If elections aren’t held before 31 May, the Sports Law dictates that an interim committee be appointed, which would likely see the present Executive Committee remain in charge until the election date but not have the power to pass annual accounts. With the deadlines for nominations ending on 27 April, SLC believes the 40-day waiting period can be bypassed as no new nominations are being accepted henceforth.

It is expected that two camps headed by former SLC office bearers Nishantha Ranatunga and Jayantha Dharmadasa will be contesting against the incumbent board headed by SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala.

Elections were last week postponed by the Sports Ministry after it adjudged that by appointing an election committee at an Executive Committee meeting as opposed to at an EGM, SLC had contravened the Sports Law. The SLC contested that they had received permission from the previous Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera in this regard. However, Faiszer Musthapha - the new Sports Minister - has insisted on following constitutional protocol.

“Our position earlier was to bring the elections committee into the SLC constitution at an ExCo meeting, and then appoint the committee members on the floor of the House,” explained Sumathipala. 

“Therefore we gave notice to the general membership on 6 April, informing them that on 19 May at an EGM [prior to holding the AGM later that same day] we will pass the resolution and bring the due changes to our Constitution. And subsequent to that to appoint an elections committee. 

“For this we informed the former Minister of Sports and with his permission we agreed to go ahead, but we have since been informed that it is better that we follow proper procedure.”

Malinga asked to fight 

for place in team

Lasith Malinga’s international future was put in fresh doubt after Sri Lanka Cricket told the 34-year-old fast bowler that the only way back into the team was by playing domestic cricket. 

Malinga was up for selection in Sri Lanka’s domestic Inter-Provincial one-day tournament set to get underway today. However, prior to the announcement of squads he stated that he would not be returning to the island until the end of the IPL, where he is serving as a bowling mentor for the Mumbai Indians.

Despite performing well in T20s domestically over the past few months, picking up 17 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 11.35, the veteran fast bowler was overlooked for the Nidahas Trophy in March. In fact he has not played for Sri Lanka since September of last year, having returned from a lengthy injury layoff at the start of 2017.

Since his return from injury, his ODI form has been patchy, with him taking 10 wickets in 13 ODIs at an average of 62. However, his T20 form has been decent - 12 wickets in six T20Is at 16.50. Malinga believes this, along with his domestic form, warrants a return to the national team starting with Sri Lanka’s home series against South Africa in July. The selectors however feel he needs to prove himself further on the domestic stage.

“The selectors wanted him back, and he has to play domestic cricket according to them,” said SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala. 

“We’re playing our white ball tournament, and 50-over and T20. I’m sure before the next international engagement which is South Africa and then the Asia Cup and so forth, he needs to play T20 games and 50 overs. If Lasith is not playing a domestic tournament, the selectors will have to make a call.”

Meanwhile, SLC CEO Ashley De Silva provided assurances that Malinga was still in the minds of the selectors.

“He has made himself available for selection and selectors have also picked him to play in one of the provinces. He hasn’t given any indication that he would be retiring, neither have the selectors given him an indication that they would not be considering him. So therefore if he performs well he will be considered.” (MB)