Those with betting interest to be barred from SLC

By Susil Premalal

Minister of Sports Harin Fernando today (22) signed the Gazette notification which would bare individuals involved in gambling firms from being associated with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

“From now on, anyone who is involved in betting or has a close relative involved in betting will not be able to hold office at the SLC,” Fernando told reporters during a media briefing held at the Sports Ministry Auditorium in Colombo today.

Sports Minister Fernando said he was introducing regulations to bring the country in line with International Cricket Council (ICC) provisions that would ban individuals with connections to gambling firms from being involved in the sport's administration.

These changes appear aimed at the former President of SLC, Thilanga Sumathipala, whose family owns a gambling business. Sumathipala, is an Executive Committee Member of SLC.

Sports Minister Fernando also further elaborated that a 4-member Special Committee has been appointed to look into the SLC television deals.

The committee comprise of Chulananda Perera (Minister of Sports), Shammi Silva (President, SLC), Ashley de Silva (Chief Executive Officer, SLC) and ICC representative.

The Sports Minister stated that he is scheduled to meet ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar who arrived in Sri Lanka last night on a four-day visit.