JVP hits a six in P’ment with expose on SLC accounts
Thursday, 8 May 2014 00:00
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By Ashwin Hemmathagama Our Lobby Correspondent
Opposition lawmaker Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday took on Sri Lanka Cricket for lack of financial discipline, financial misappropriation and fraudulent activities currently investigated by Auditor General.
Using Standing Orders 23 (2), MP Dissanayake questioned the Government’s role in Sri Lanka Cricket, which happens to be a foremost sporting establishment in the country earning a considerable income from different modes.
“Do you agree that maintaining financial discipline at Sri Lanka Cricket is the responsibility of the Government? If so, what are the steps taken? Who is responsible for the irregularities at Sri Lanka Cricket? What steps have you taken to investigate these matters?”
Highlighting the inquiries raised by Auditor General last month, MP Dissanayake said: “Sri Lanka Cricket has failed to maintain permanent records on its fixed assets. Although Sri Lanka Cricket reported Rs. 6 billion worth of fixed assets by 31 December 2013 most of it is depreciated fully or partially and a subsequent valuation is not conducted. Similarly, Sri Lanka Cricket has failed to reconcile over Rs. 33 million used for Welagerada Ground development and Rs. 1.3 million used for the Moratuwa Cricket Ground development. These accounts remain unsettled since 2009. Sri Lanka Cricket has also failed to submit the documents related to World Cup accounts estimated to exceed Rs. 2.2 billion and the details of a fund that has over Rs. 233 million for over 10 years.”
In response Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage who turned down the fraud allegations said: “There is no fraud or financial misappropriation at Sri Lanka Cricket. The Auditor General has raised some queries, which we have to respond to. It is true that the Government is responsible to maintain financial discipline at Sri Lanka Cricket. We have appointed a committee to investigate the matters. We have received the bills from our contractors for the ground developments. But there is a disparity in the amounts billed and due for settlement.”
