Minister unhappy with SLC but promises to pay cricketers on time

By Ashwin Hemmathagama

Our Lobby Correspondent

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage yesterday in Parliament expressed displeasure with the performance of Sri Lanka Cricket after he on Wednesday assured national cricketers would be paid on time.

Aluthgamage told Parliament that both he and the Government were not satisfied with the performance of the SLC since it was working to entertain clubs rather than improving the sport in the country.

Aluthgamage criticised the cricket authority in response to a question from United National Party (UNP) Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake over the profit or loss made by the SLC on the World Cup matches last year.

The Minister has revealed that SLC is playing about 800 players and the organisation has paid Rs. 12.48 million in 2010 and Rs. 19.68 million in 2011 to the players.

He has said that the Ministry hoped to resolve the issues by the end of the year.

Responding to MP Karunanayake’s question for oral answers seeking profit/loss details incurred by Sri Lanka Cricket during the World Cup matches held between 19 February and 2 April 2011, Minister Aluthgamage confirmed that “the embarrassing situation” where the ICC directly paid the players would not take place again.

According to Minister Aluthgamage, Sri Lanka Cricket has obtained financial assistance from Bank of Ceylon to stabilise the cash position and would continue to pay installments as agreed. “All accounts are submitted to ICC, including the clarifications for the queries. Now we have good finance control at Sri Lanka Cricket,” he said.

“Sri Lanka Cricket made a net profit of Rs. 1,870 million from the World Cup matches. The turnover was Rs. 2,345 million. However, we are yet to pay the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, which was instrumental in building the Sooriyawewa cricket grounds,” he added.

Sri Lanka Cricket is yet to pay the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Rs.4.282 million for the construction of the Sooriyawewa cricket stadium that covers 7.7 acres located on a 47 acre land with 1,200 vehicle parking capacity along with other buildings.

Meanwhile, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa instructed Minister Aluthgamage to pay for the water that had been used from the Meegahajadura tank for the Sooriyawewa cricket grounds.

According to Sri Lanka Cricket, Rs. 12.48 million and US$ 1.76 million had been paid to the cricket pool last year.