It’s been two months now, since Sports Minister Faizer Mustapha and his secretary Kamal Padmasiri are running the Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC). While, Faizer has now focused himself to get maximum media exposure and publicity from the cricket for his next election campaign, SLC’s Competent Authority Kamal Padmasiri has turned totally incompetent. In this scenario, SLC controversial CEO Ashley De Silva and COO Jerome Jayarathne have become the most powerful and are cashing in the opportunity big time. Few days ago, Ashley De Silva planned an extravagant Gala dinner for the South Africa team, however at the last moment, Sports Minister cut his fur and cancelled the dinner. Now, Ashley and Jerome are obliging certain employees at SLC in order to keep them happy, after they had to face criticism due to their own salary increments few months ago.
Now, in their latest attempt to keep happy to certain employees, Cricket Age learns that Ashley and Jerome have approved Kandy visit and accommodation for their favourites.
The 3rd and 4th ODI between Sri Lanka and South Africa to be played at Pallekele International Stadium Kandy on 5th and 8th August.
According to sources, Jerome and Ashley have approved three SLC lady employees : Asanka, Indrani and Dushy – travel and accommodation allowances during two matches in Kandy.
Asanka is SLC President’s Confidential Secretary, Indrani is Women’s Team coordinator and Dushy is Jerome’s Confidential Secretary.
Few years back, after an embarrassing incident took place in Galle during an international match involving a young Sri Lanka player and SLC lady employee, then board President Thilanga Sumathipala stopped sending lady employees for outstation matches. However, as Sumathipala is not around anymore, Ashley and Jerome have reverse this decision for their own benefits.
“For Dambulla matches too, Jerome and Ashley approved accommodation and allowances for Asanka and Dushy. Asanka stayed at Paradise Resort there” a top official of SLC told Cricket Age.
In the last few months, Sri Lanka Cricket has found itself in various kind of controversies, like match fixing, spot fixing and alleged rape charges.
“It was a good policy to not send lady employees during outstation matches. Unfortunately, now it has been reversed” he told further.
This act of Ashley and Jerome raises serious questions against Sports Minister and competent authority as well. Faizer, who announced in the beginning that he would change the SLC for the betterment, is now busy in promoting himself. Competent Authority, on the other hand, doesn’t even know the spelling of the Cricket, thus, has been dancing on the tunes of Ashley and Jerome.
These things raises questions over Faizer’s intentions as well. He could have brought an interim committee to run the SLC till next elections. However, he showed over ambition by controlling everything! So, now, while he is busy in his promotion, Ashley and Jerome are obliging their favourites!
