Hand gesture controversy fuels chaos in SLC probe

• Sajith alleges that COPE Chairman bought over by SLC  
• Prof. Bandara, in response, accused Opposition members of trying to politicise the probe

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

Sri Lanka’s cricket crisis has taken a chaotic turn with some members of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and its chairman Ranjith Bandara accusing each other of mishandling the probe on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).   

Some COPE members highlighted that Prof. Bandara should be removed from the Chairmanship of the committee temporarily until the probe on SLC is completed.   
Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa said Prof. Bandara acted as if he had been bought over by the SLC.   

“The COPE chairman, using hand signals, advised SLC members not to answer questions raised by MPs at Tuesday’s meeting.  

This is clearly visible in videos  being circulated over social media,” 
Premadasa said.   

SJB MP Hesha Vithanage said Prof. Bandara should not be allowed to chair future probes which COPE is slated to carry out on SLC during the coming days.   
“COPE has summoned SLC on November 24, 27 and 28. We request that Prof. Bandara is removed temporarily and an acting Chairman be appointed,” he said.   
MP S.M. Marikar said he and some other members of COPE do not want to participate in any probes on SLC with Professor Bandara at the chair.   
MP Chaminda Wijesiri accused Professor Bandara of violating the privileges of COPE members.   
“The COPE Chairman could be dealt with under Section 18 of the Privileges Act,” he said.   
MP Premanath Dolawatta also wanted the COPE Chairman out temporarily.   

Prof. Bandara, in response, accused Opposition members of trying to politicise the probe.   

“COPE is expected to be independent as much as possible. However, there was a planned effort by the Opposition members to politicize the probe on SLC,” he said.   
“I put my fingers on my lips and asked the opposition MPs to be quiet as many members were speaking at the same time,” he added.   
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana did not give any ruling with regard to the matter.   

Meanwhile Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe requested the Speaker to appoint a separate Parliamentary Committee, chaired by an opposition MP, to conduct an investigation carry out an investigation on the probe done by COPE on SLC.   

The Minister told Parliament that the COPE had discussed irrelevant points without giving due prominence to relevant issues when the SLC was summoned before the COPE on Tuesday. “According to the video of the COPE meeting yesterday, it is clear that irrelevant matters were discussed while evading important and relevant matters. I doubt if the COPE has got sold out to SLC,” he said.