Sajith tables SLC letter to ICC over undue interference

18 November 2023 11:29 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 24 Bookmark

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PARLIAMENT (Daily Mirror)- Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today revealed that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) president Shammi Silva had sent a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) alleging that the Sports Ministry had made undue interferences in its activities and claimed that this had paved the way for the ICC ban on Sri Lanka Cricket.

The Opposition Leader told Parliament that the communique which contained five serious allegations with an additional point had been sent to ICC Chairman Greg Barclay on August 28, 2023, and he tabled the letter in Parliament.

Premadasa said the letter had levelled allegations against the Sports Ministry claiming that the Director of Sports had unduly influenced cricket tournaments in the country, that the Sports Ministry secretary had requested salaries paid to the office bearers of the SLC, that the Sports Minister had influenced the SLC to obtain permission to hold the LPL tournament, that the Sports Minister had influenced to draft the SLC Constitution and that the draft audit report had been leaked.

He said the letter contained one additional point which said the Sports Minister influenced the SLC to contribute 20 percent of the SLC funds to the National Sports Fund.

The Opposition Leader said these allegations had been made on August 28, 2023 and another communique sent earlier had created the atmosphere for the ICC to impose the ban on Sri Lanka Cricket.

He said this is a betrayal of Sri Lanka Cricket by its president and demanded action against it.

Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga said it is serious when the Opposition Leader had revealed it with written evidence and requested the Speaker to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee to look into the allegations.

Comments - 24

Steve Saturday, 18 November 2023 12:01 PM

Another committee? Are the allegations true?

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Daya weerasinghe Saturday, 18 November 2023 12:01 PM

Opposition leader is trying to save himself. The blame for the ICC ban goes to Minister for desolving the SLC and appointing an interim committee. At the time the Opposition leader was the main man supporting the Minister for the dissolution.

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Joshua Saturday, 18 November 2023 12:02 PM

Another committee? Do you have a count of number of committees in this country?

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A supporter of corrupt SLC Saturday, 18 November 2023 12:09 PM

SLC should be allowed to continue its corrupt activities without any interference from the Minister of Sports or the Parliament. SLC pleaded with the International Criminal Council (ICC) to suspend SLC. President Ranil Wickremasinghe had pleaded with Ajay Shah, a corrupt Secretary of BCCI, to get his support to lift the suspension which does not exist. SLC is functioning as normal. After the so-called suspension, it donated Rs 28.0 million to Asian Games Medallists.

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Mahila Saturday, 18 November 2023 12:28 PM

"He said this is a betrayal of Sri Lanka Cricket by its president and demanded action against it" - LoO It isn't Betrayal but TRANSPARENCY, EXPOSITION OF ULTERIOR MOTIVES of the Minister and HISm\ Ministry!!!?? Surely ICC doesn't contribute funds for furthering other sports in SL, but furthering training and promotion of Cricket, Cricketers and Training in SL!!!??? Problem is wholly and absolutely of Politicians – Mismanagement and Misleading Public, foreign and local Sports controlling bodies!!!??? Sports minister has a UNIQUE RECORD!!!??? His tenure, 3 recognised sports controlling bodies has been transplanted with APPOINTED COMMITTEES instead of elected!!!??? What was the reason??? Elected bodies didn’t flex, on “ALL FOURS TO PLAY” at the WHIMS AND FANCIES OR TRICKERY – Ministers’ way!!!??? Crooked Politicians is the Bane of Public and all-time MALAISE CRIPPLING Sri Lanka!!!

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Aquarius Saturday, 18 November 2023 01:02 PM

Politics and SLC have been in a marriage since we won the World Cup in 1996 - the gravy train was too tempting. The best option, if possible, is to place the SLC under some legal authority who will have the powers to oversee all activities, including taking legal action against the corrupt and show the door to indiscipline cricketers. Right now it is a blaming game and a mess.

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Onlooker Saturday, 18 November 2023 01:15 PM

If the Sports Minister influenced (requested) the SLC to contribute 20 percent of the SLC funds to the National Sports Fund, it is good thing as SLC Funds are for all and everyone in SL. Some Sports need funds badly. Like if the rich Exporter get Foreign Exchange, he cannot use it alone but must give the Central Bank. So cricketers play for the country and their effort in earnings is for distribution.

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A delighted cricket fan Saturday, 18 November 2023 01:43 PM

Essence of International Cricket means setting up world records; In the 2023 World Cup being held in India, SL Cricket Team has set up several new records; No 1: Sri Lanka recorded lowest score of 55 runs all out. No. 2. Sri Lanka also set a record by dropping highest number of catches by a team. No. 3. Sri Lankan Team also set up a world record of having the first batsman to be 'Timed Out' in an international cricket match. No. 4. Sri Lanka also set up a world record by being the cricket team which set up highest number of world records during a World Cup. All thanks to corrupt SLC.

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Prince Saturday, 18 November 2023 02:38 PM

At last with some proof. Every one complained and all knew that Shami Silva is not a honest person. When you see the way they speak, it's visible they are after the money and power. Hook or by crook they want to hang on to these perks. For sure they also have a major backing from the top.

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P.parthipn Saturday, 18 November 2023 03:35 PM

I say.....sit down

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dana Saturday, 18 November 2023 04:01 PM

Chairman of SLC seems lavishly spent dollars send by ICC to spend on improvements of cricket to catch evil judges,parliamentarians and pleasure of family and friends and even under world gangs ,all according to his whims and fancies,he seems bought many people in in important places using ICC money, without spending a cent out of his pocket

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Vadivelu Yogaratnam Saturday, 18 November 2023 04:52 PM

This young London educated man still don't understand ICC rules, don't interfear directly or indirectly in the management of sports at all level, behave like other countries do understood. educated man still don't understand ICC rules

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Tissa Fernando Saturday, 18 November 2023 05:50 PM

Sajith raises issues but Unfortunately no actions are ever taken. Shammi Silva is sitting in the COPE meeting very relaxed and smiling. Shammi is a Nalandian but I don't understand why Ranil is supporting him , generally Ranil supports his school mates.

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Ram Saturday, 18 November 2023 06:57 PM

When the letter was sent I believe the AG's report on accounts was out and SLC smelt what was in store for them. AGs report was made through Parliament or report made to Parliament so Shammi said political interference. He has betrayed the country and the cricket loving public. He must be chased out of SLC and his acquisition of all his assets investigated

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Uncle Paradise Saturday, 18 November 2023 07:41 PM

Seems to me just from this letter, SLC was being a good steward of their money and affairs. Who's to say if SLC didn't take this action and let political interference continue, ICC wouldn't have banned us anyway? At least in just this one instance, good job SLC.

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wickrama wijayasiri Saturday, 18 November 2023 07:56 PM

ICC is not clean either. These guys are all banded together. The same as FIFA. They all have forgotten the game, players, and the fans. People with no talent making money off the backs of the people they are supposed to serve. Akin to the rice mill owners in SL.

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Fact Saturday, 18 November 2023 08:02 PM

SLC. Sports Minister, Ruling Party. Opposition Party....... Kettle calling the pot black. Nothing else

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wickrama wijayasiri Saturday, 18 November 2023 08:06 PM

Organization of 'pimps' is a good term to describe the ICC an SLC?

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Ram Sunday, 19 November 2023 03:11 AM

Not a word on the Auditor General's report that exposed all questionable use of the funds. Their travel to Australia with beauties as personal baggage to serve their other desires, and where some failed to return

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A Thankful Cricket Fan Sunday, 19 November 2023 08:19 AM

We MUST facilitate 'Honest and Hardworking Executives of SLC' led by Betting Shammi for the SL Team that set up 4 world records during the ODI World Cup being held in India. The World Records: No1. The lowest score of 55 all out just one month after scoring 51 all out against the same team. No 2. The world record for the highest number of dropped catches after playing 9 matches. No 3. For having the world's first batsman to be declared 'Timed Out' in an international cricket match. No 4. The world record for setting up the highest number of world records in an ODI World Cup. An award ceremony (US$ 1.0 million for each person) for honest and hardworking Executives of SLC, all the members of the brilliant Selection Committee, Coaches and Consultants, and all the players MUST be held which will be telecast live and awards should be handed over by President His Excellency Ranil Wickremasinghe and the Chief Guest will be Mr. Jay Shah, Secretary BCCI.

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Tom Sunday, 19 November 2023 08:56 AM

This whole episode with the sports minister

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VJ Sunday, 19 November 2023 09:10 AM

There may be others in the payroll of SLC, but having the chairman of an oversight committee on public enterprises is unethical and a criminal offense. We have other oversight agencies like the AG who should have highlighted corrupt activities in the institution. SLC was once run by a family who are trying to retake using the current crisis. People have lost faith in almost anything our government does.

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Nimal Nanayakkara Monday, 20 November 2023 10:39 AM

Sajith Premadasa Is trying to dissolve the Indian cricket board and appoint an interim committee for failure to win the world cup

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Nimal Nanayakkara Monday, 20 November 2023 10:39 AM

Sajith Premadasa Is trying to dissolve the Indian cricket board and appoint an interim committee for failure to win the world cup

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