In a letter sent to the International Cricket Council and all Full Member nations of the ICC, Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe has clarified misconceptions regarding the steps currently being contemplated by the Government to improve cricket in Sri Lanka.
In this letter Minister Ranasinghe noted that since 2015, Sri Lanka Cricket has seen a gradual degradation in the quality of cricket played internationally and locally besieged with complaints of player disciplinary issues, management corruption, financial misconduct and match-fixing allegations. “Over the years, multiple ministers before me have initiated inquiries into the alleged misconduct of Sri Lanka Cricket. These investigations have resulted in several reports that substantiate the claims against the officials of Sri Lanka Cricket.
“Due to political crises and disasters, no action was taken on those reports. However, the recent revelations and Audit Reports published by the Independent Auditor General Department of the country warrants immediate intervention as the minister in charge to bring the perpetrators of financial crimes before the legal system and to establish good governance and transparency in the Sri Lanka Cricket administration.
“Many sports enthusiasts criticize the Board for creating a betting-friendly environment, which they believe devalues the ethics and spirit of the game. The local cricketing fixtures are now solely sponsored by betting companies and illegal cryptocurrency scams which are banned and blacklisted by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka Cricket has been loosely arguing and alleging that there is “political interference” on my part and the Ministry of Sports ever since I inquired into their financial misconduct and made comments on their conduct.
“I want to stress the fact that neither I nor any governmental authority has impinged on the operations of Sri Lanka Cricket in any aspect.
“Further, it has become a habit on the part of Sri Lanka Cricket to hold the threat of suspension of ICC membership as a symbol of blackmail, not to act against their own financial misconduct.
“As the Minister of Sports, I have made courteous efforts to communicate with the ICC Chairman and the CEO. My goal was to educate the board on the recent revelations and to cooperate with the ICC. I want to ensure a smooth transition of the governing board of Sri Lanka and to guarantee that good governance and transparency mechanisms are in place”, Minister Ranasinghe conveyed in his letter to the ICC and member States.
