Almost on the threshold of an election of office-bearers to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Parliament wants Sports Minister Sunil Gamage to ensure the ballot will not take place and instead implement a landmark Recommendation that calls for the setting up of an independent Chairperson and an 18-member board of governors to administer the sport’s affairs.
Opposition Member of Parliament Hesha Vithanage called on the government to approve what has come to be famously known as the KT Chitrasiri Report compiled by the retired Supreme Court judge that has recommended SLC to be administered not by elected members but by an independent chairperson and a board of directors for accountability and transparency.
Vithanage said the implementation should be done under the government’s Clean Sri Lanka project that has become the rallying cry in public circles.
“The government can no longer remain silent and must live up to its pledges. I appeal to the President (Anura Kumara Dissanayake) to use his powers and ensure that the appropriate people are put in charge of the administration of cricket without having an election (of cricket officials)”, said Vithanage.
In November last year SLC put out a public statement saying it was slashing the number of votes from 147 to 60 at the election of office bearers but former players and administrators claimed the solution for a clean administration was not in the number of votes but in the Recommendation of the KT Chitrasiri probe Report which is expected to be tabled in Parliament ahead of any cricket election.
While admitting its failures, Sri Lanka Cricket claimed in its media statement that in addition to the slashing of votes it was setting up several committees to monitor financial transactions following a spate of public protests for an overhaul.
“In order to strengthen the transparency of financial management, the membership unanimously approved the establishment of the Audit Committee, Investment and Budget Committee and Related Party Transaction Committee.
“SLC believes that constitutional amendments will foster a culture of professionalism, transparency and meritocracy”, SLC said in its statement.
