Harin seeks further time to decide on cricket case

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

Newly appointed Sports Minister Harin Fernando yesterday sought further time from the Court of Appeal to decide the writ petition filed over the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Interim Committee.  

President’s Counsel Kushan de Alwis appearing on behalf of Minister Harin Fernando informed the Court that he still needs further time to go through with the relevant documents, before deciding the petition.  

Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justices Sobhitha Rajakaruna and D. N. Samarakoon fixed the petition for December 13.  

Meanwhile, the new Sports Minister through his Lawyer yesterday gave an undertaking, not to take any further action regarding the Gazette notification issued by the former Minister appointing an interim committee to the SLC, until December 13.  

On November 7, the Court of Appeal issued an interim order suspending the operation of the Gazette notification issued by the Sports Minister appointing an interim committee to SLC, until November 16.  

The Petitioner SLC President Shammi Silva stated that the Sports Minister has been antagonistic towards SLC from the time he assumed office as Minister and at all stages for the primary reason that the present office-bearers of SLC are independent and acted only in the interests of SLC and withstood political interference.