FOR PRIZE MONEY ERROR SLC APOLOGIZERS

Sunil Thenabadu

1 year ago

SLC apologizes for prize-money error

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) issued an apology for an embarrassing mistake during the presentation ceremony at the conclusion of the first Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Galle.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam was handed a presentation cheque that showed two different amounts in prize money, an image of which was widely circulated on social media.

The cheque shows the prize money to be US dollars 2000 in writing, but US dollars 5000 in figures.

While clarifying that the winning team received US dollars 5000, SLC in a media statement said, “We express our regret for the error that was caused in the ‘presentation cheque’ awarded to the winner of the concluded 1st test match between the two teams.”

“The post-match presentation awards are prepared by the Ground Rights Holder for Sri Lanka’s inbound tours, which in this case is ITW Consulting, which has acquired the rights for the period of 2023–27.”

“Nevertheless, Sri Lanka Cricket, as the governing body of the game, will take total responsibility for the mishap and wish to promise the cricket-loving public that in the future, steps will be taken to ensure that such ‘errors’ are avoided,” SLC also said in its statement.

NEWS

Confidential letter sent to President on OnmaxDT scam

The President has reportedly received a confidential letter from a resident in Kandy, which cites that a sum of Rs. 05 million has been given to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and the CID to sweep the infamous OnmaxDT pyramid scam, under the rug.

The resident, a one E.G. Perera from the Yatinuwara area in Kandy, has also requested to direct copies of the letter to CBSL governor, the Attorney General and the DIG heading the CID.

The letter states that a person named ‘Mahanuwara Kasun’ has handed over the aforementioned money to the CBSL and the CID through a one ‘Priyantha Boteju’ of the Rajagiriya area.

Meanwhile, it is also alleged that 3 OnmaxDT Directors including Saranga Randika Jayatissa have given a sum of Rs. 60 million to a son of a minister.

The letter also points out that Mr. Jayatissa is able to provide further details on ‘Priyantha Boteju’ while a certain Director of OnmaxDT has already left the country.

The letter also raises doubts as to why the Directors of OnmaxDT, (namely Kahandawa Arachchilahe Athula Indika Sampath, Sinhala Pedige Gayashan Abeyratne, Lenduwage Sampath Sandaruwan, Galabada Vidhana Arachchilage Saranga Randika Jayatissa and Mallawa Appuhamilage Dhananjaya Jayan), are not arrested over charges of committing a fraud of Rs. 32,000 million.

MPs involved?

Meanwhile, speaking in Parliament today (20), State Minister of Tourism – Diana Gamage has stated that certain Parliamentarians are also embroiled in the OnmaxDT pyramid scam.

The state minister said that while relevant bank accounts with Rs. 3000 million have already been frozen, a staggering Rs. 30,000 million has been siphoned out of the country through this scam.

Noting that the investigations of the CID and the Attorney General’s Department have been slow, the State Minister said that OnmaxDT has collected Rs. 2,920 million from the public, even after being banned.

The aforementioned letter and a clip of the State Minister’s speech in Parliament are as follows :

(Video : VoiceTube)