Sri Lanka Cricket stakeholders request Sport Minister to take appropriate action

Wednesday, 29 April 2015 02:50 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka Cricket member clubs and associations decided to notify the Minister of Sports, the Prime Minister and the President with regard to the unjust cancellation of the elections and the impending dangers to Sri Lanka Cricket. While an interim committee had been appointed to run the affairs of Sri Lanka Cricket, up to now the Minister had not given a justifiable reason for doing so. Due to this reason the International Cricket Council had commenced an inquiry to assess the current situation and temporarily withhold large sums of money that are due to Sri Lanka Cricket. A meeting of the stakeholders of Sri Lanka Cricket was held on 25 April at the SSC to discuss the dangers and the imminent damage that would be caused to the game and the institution if this situation prevailed. The stakeholders were concerned of the risk that such action could put Sri Lanka Cricket in breach of Article 2.9(B) of the ICC’s Articles of Association where amendments were introduced in 2012, which states as follows: “Where a Government interferes in the administration of cricket by a Member, including but not limited to interference in operational matters, the selection and management of teams, the appointment of coaches or support personnel, the Executive Board shall have the power to suspend or refuse to recognise that Member.” The representatives from the 68 member clubs and association out of the 85 in existence discussed in detail the current situation and unanimously decided to notify the Minister of Sports, the Prime Minister and the President of the dangers and the damage that could be caused to the game and to Sri Lanka Cricket if this issue was not addressed diplomatically and in a fair manner. As this meeting was not politically motivated, it was the unanimous agreement of all present that all actions should be taken in the larger interest of the game of cricket and to update the International Cricket Council to safeguard the rights and privileges of the membership of Sri Lanka Cricket. It was also unanimously decided to make an appeal to the Minister of Sports and Tourism and entrust the outgoing office-bearers to seek an early appointment to discuss this issue in order to minimise the damage that would be caused to Sri Lanka Cricket and the restoration of the democratic rights of the membership. As there had been certain media reports alleging corruption at the SLC, the members also decided unanimously to request the Minister to take appropriate action against any individual who was found guilty of any wrongdoing. All member clubs, associations, past administrators and past cricketers were invited to join together in this endeavour.

SLC standoff with ICC could be resolved soon

Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister has expressed his confidence that Sri Lanka Cricket’s current standoff with the ICC will be resolved, while the ICC has agreed to release a small percentage of the sum it is holding in escrow. Navin Dissanayake, the sports minister, said SLC would shortly receive USD $ 300,000 from the ICC, which amounts to about 2.5% of the payment due to the board. The release of this money, which is effectively Sri Lanka’s prize money from the 2015 World Cup, is seen by SLC as a step toward the board’s full reintegration at the ICC. Dissanayake said he had also received a letter from the ICC last week, and expects to respond over the next few days. He hopes to outline his reasons for suspending the SLC elections and appointing an interim committee. “I can say that the letter from the ICC was very cordial and there was nothing confrontational about it,” Dissanayake said. “So I am certain we can sort this out with the ICC. I am meeting ICC Chief Executive David Richardson and ICC Chairman Srinivasan to negotiate the matters shortly.” The ICC’s constitution does not allow for government interference in cricket administration in full member nations. However, the SLC comes under the sports ministry’s purview, according to Sri Lanka’s sports law. This, Dissanayake said, was the crux of the wrangle. “There is a conflict between Sri Lanka Sports Law and ICC regulations,” he said. “It can be negotiated. The ICC has to understand the situation in member countries.” Dissanayake also said Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department would probe the awarding of local broadcasting rights of Sri Lanka matches to Carlton Sports Network as part of a wider investigation. Meanwhile, a collective of Sri Lanka Cricket stakeholders, most from voting clubs and associations, has urged the Sri Lankan Government to reinstate elections at Maitland Place. Sixty-eight members of cricket associations had met over the weekend, and expressed concern that SLC had been sidelined by the ICC. The collective issued a release which said “outgoing office-bearers” would seek an appointment with the Government “to discuss this issue in order to minimise the damage that could cause to Sri Lanka Cricket and the restoration of the democratic rights of the membership.”

Premadasa to get indoor nets, swimming pool

Sri Lanka Cricket’s interim committee has taken steps to build indoor nets and a swimming pool at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Khettarama, where the national side conducts much of its training. Khettarama currently has 18 practice pitches and also houses Sri Lanka’s Max Cricket Academy but many of these facilities are out of use during the monsoon months. “We’re thinking we would like to start work on the indoor nets and swimming pool by June,” Interim Chairman Sidath Wettimuny said. “At the moment we don’t have facilities for cricketers who need to train on rainy days, early in the morning or late at night, so an indoor facility is vital. Modern training methods also demand a swimming pool for rehabilitation exercises. “We also think it is essential to have indoor facilities in Pallekele, Dambulla, Hambantota and to repair the Galle facilities as well, finance permitting. That’s a priority for us.” The interim committee will also take steps to grant pay-rises to first-class cricketers, Wettimuny said. SLC currently pays a daily wage of around Rs. 2,500 (approx USD $ 19), but the committee plans to triple this sum. “The idea is to make cricket a livelihood for these players,” Wettimuny said. The reshaping of Sri Lanka’s domestic cricket structure has also been a focus for the committee, with Mahela Jayawardene among those making recommendations to revive a provincial cricket tournament. Wettimuny said any serious restructuring of the domestic system would require significant consultation with SLC’s member clubs and associations but was necessary for Sri Lanka to remain competitive at the international level.