We are going to discuss with the Sports Minister and Sri Lanka Cricket officials to work on AG’s recommendation on the findings of the six member committee that investigated the alleged misconduct by the players, officials and associates during the last T20 World Cup in Australia in October/November said Sports Ministry Secretary K. Mahesan.

Speaking to Daily News yesterday the newly appointed Sports Ministry Secretary pointed out we have to investigate the matter thoroughly and ask the government auditor to conduct a comprehensive audit on Sri Lanka Cricket world cup expenditure before taking legal action.The AG’s letter was received last Friday and now we will discuss the matter on the advice of AG.

According to the report, SLC has spent over Rs.65 million to send 16 administrators–which included two paid employees and 14 Executive Committee members–on a joyride to watch the T20 World Cup despite instructions from the Sports Ministry to minimise costs. Although their travel is now being questioned, the Ministry had approved it.

Among those who went 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 and Executive Committee members Sujeewa Godaliyadda (Asst Treasurer), Crishantha Kapuwatte (Assistant Secretary) Janaka Pathirana, Thilak Wathtuhewa, Samantha Dodanwela, Priyantha Algama, Bandula Dissanayake, Rear Admiral Nishantha de Silva and Nalin Aponsu.

Some travelled 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.

However, the report was challenged in courts. SLC President Shammi Silva and Secretary Mohan de Silva filed a writ application in the Court of Appeal to quash the report and the court directed that the status quo of SLC shall be maintained until the next hearing on February 1. Accordingly, the AG has refrained from giving his opinion on whether SLC should be dissolved or not.

A suspension of its membership by the Ministry may lead to other complications. On November 25, 2022, ICC’s Chief Executive Geoff Allardice, in an email to SLC President Shammi Silva, said that any governmental interference in its governance could lead to potential suspension of ICC membership, disqualification of the national team from ICC events, and the withdrawal of financial support.

The committee found enough ground to dissolve the SLC. A recommendation was made in the 63-page report to the Minister of Sports to exercise his powers under the Sports Law and regulations to suspend or cancel SLC’s affiliation with the Ministry.

“It should be made clear to all concerned that any investigation by the ICC could result in a range of potential actions being taken by the ICC against SLC. These could include a warning, the suspension of ICC membership, disqualification of the national team from ICC events, and the withdrawal of financial support (including distributions). Some of these actions could also see other members being released from their obligations to fulfill FTP (Future Tour Programmes) commitments with SLC (under the FTP Agreement),” the letter reads.

The Sports Minister appointed a committee headed by Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena and included former Ministry Secretary Kingsley Fernando, retired DIG Sudath Nagahamulla, retired Rear Admiral Ananda Peiris, former cricketer Nalin de Alwis, and lawyer Shalini Roshana Fernando to conduct a proper investigation on the allegations.

Meanwhile Daily News learnt that Former cricketers Sidath Wettimuny, Kushil Gunasekara and lawyer Dinal Phillips went to meet Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe last week.

Kushil Gunasekara contacted by Daily News said We already as a committee have got the greenlight to change the Sri Lanka cricket constitution to change election policy.We know Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and even India, Pakistan have less votes for the cricket election .Here in Sri Lanka we request this to change and the courts ordered to change it. But so far no positive action has been taken and Sports Minister has appointed a six member committee headed by Kusala Sarojini Weeraeardena . We went to meet Sports Minister as he invited us to come and meet and suddenly we didn’t know we had to sit with the six member committee.

Meanwhile a Sri Lanka Cricket senior official said we are willing have a audit query and clear all very soon. Before the Australia world cup tour Sri Lanka officials got the greenlight from the then Sports Ministry secretary Dr. Amal Harsha de Silva and we did everything but when we lost the world cup the Administrators and selectors were blamed.