Sri Lanka Cricket Crisis: SLC BOWLED OUT – Nothing is going well for Sri Lankan cricket right now. To say the least, the on-field performances have been abysmal. India thrashed Sri Lanka 3-0 in the one-day international series, and things aren’t looking good off the field either. After India bowled out the Sri Lankan cricket team on the field, the government is expected to dissolve the Sri Lankan cricket board this week. Is it safe to say that Sri Lankan cricket is over? Follow Indian cricket Live updates on InsideSport.In
SriLanka Cricket team BOWLED out by India, SriLanka Cricket Board likely to be dissolved this week by Government: Follow LIVE UPDATES
India seal the ODI series 3-0. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/PKK1VWcL7G
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) January 15, 2023
In the coming weeks, the Sri Lankan Cricket Administration may be dissolved. This comes after a six-member committee investigated incidents related to the game during last year’s ICC T20 World Cup in Australia. The result has raised serious concerns about Sri Lanka Cricket’s alleged over spending on sending officials to watch matches Down Under.
The committee has advised the Sports Minister to use his authority under the Sports Law and the rules established thereunder to suspend, revoke, or reactivate SLC’s affiliation with the ministry given the gravity of the alleged financial mismanagement.
The investigators also advised the minister to conduct an independent audit of the alleged expenditure and to seize board documents to prevent evidence from being destroyed.
Roshan Ranasinghe, the Sports Minister, stated that he would take appropriate action after reviewing the report. However, SLC is also working closely with its legal team to respond if it is dissolved, as the report was done with “ulterior motives by distorting facts.”
“We will be compelled to take legal action to protect the good name of the institution against the purported findings,” said SLC Secretary Mohan de Silva. De Silva was among those the committee interviewed to prepare the report.
What’s in the report?
- According to the report, SLC has spent over Rs. 65 million to send 16 administrators
- This included two paid employees and 14 members of the Executive Committee to watch the World Cup
- The decision was taken despite instructions from the Sports Ministry to minimize costs.
- Although their travel is now being questioned, the Ministry had earlier approved it.
- Of this sum, over Rs. 25.5 million went for business-class travel. The remainder was paid as allowances to meet expenses during their stay—each pocketing a handsome US$700 per diem over 10 days.
Accordingly, a sum of US$107,800—approximately Rs. 39,438,812.00 at the current exchange rate—has been paid as allowances to 16 officials, while the air tickets have cost SLC Rs. 25,687,498.00.
“According to the Sri Lanka Cricket constitution, one of their prime objectives is to promote, encourage, regulate, and control the game of cricket in Sri Lanka.” However, instead of doing that, the officials holding responsible positions have used SLC funds for their own personal benefits, saying it’s an incentive for the honorary service they do for the game,” the 63-page report reads.
SriLanka Cricket team BOWLED out by India, SriLanka Cricket Board likely to be dissolved this week by Government: Follow LIVE UPDATES
Who were travelling?
- Among those traveling are President Shammi Silva, Secretary Mohan de Silva, Vice Presidents Jayantha Dharmadasa and Raveen Wickremaratne, Treasurer Lasantha Wickremasinghe, CEO Ashley de Silva, COO Jerome Jayaratne.
- There were also Executive Committee members Sujeewa Godaliyadda, Cryshantha Kapuwatte, Janaka Pathirana, Thilak Wathuhewa, Samantha Dodanwela, Priyantha Algama, Bandula Dissanayake, Rear Admiral Nishantha de Silva and Nalin Aponsu.
- Some traveled in an official capacity to attend various meetings held by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in conjunction with the World Cup, but the majority were on a fully paid holiday.
The report says COO Jerome Jayaratne had no role to play with the team but was sent to Melbourne. It claims he contributed nothing to the team during the trip and spent time with his sister instead.
The Sports Minister appointed the committee to investigate a litany of alleged wrongdoings among players, officials, and associates during the World Cup.
“According to a statement given by SLC Treasurer Lasantha Wickremasinghe, he has watched only one match during his stay in Australia. However, according to the report submitted by the SLC president, the treasurer has watched two Sri Lankan matches and another match. Even though the President stated that the Treasurer traveled in business class, Wickremasinghe has stated he traveled to Australia in first class. “This proves that the President has given us a false statement,” the report adds.
The report highlights several other instances of misinformation provided by the SLC president on officials’ travel and their attendance at matches.
The report claims that despite notices issued by the committee to two Vice Presidents, Jayantha Dharmadasa and Raveen Wickremaratne, and Executive Committee members Sujeewa Godaliyadda, Krishantha Kapuwatte, Janaka Pathirana, Thilak Wathuhewa, Samantha Dodanwela, Priyantha Algama, Bandula Dissanayake, Rear Admiral Nishantha de Silva, and Nalin Aponsu, they had not attended.
What are the recommendations?
Sri Lankan Cricket Board’s extravagant spending has long been a source of debate for a very long time.
- The committee has recommended a blanket ban on players visiting casinos and has also recommended allowing wives in their hotel rooms—aa practice permitted until 2016—to ensure they do not stay out and violate team discipline.
- They have also suggested that players be given social media guidelines and that strong people be appointed as captain and team manager.
- Another recommendation is to reduce the number of first-class teams to 10 from 26, but direction has not been given on how to do it. Sri Lanka has a record 26 teams playing first-class cricket.
SriLanka Cricket team BOWLED out by India, SriLanka Cricket Board likely to be dissolved this week by Government: Follow LIVE UPDATES
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Captain @ImRo45 collects the trophy as #TeamIndia seal the @mastercardindia #INDvSL ODI series 3️⃣-0️⃣👏👏
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/q4nA9Ff9Q2 pic.twitter.com/KmCAFDfpUe
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 15, 2023
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