Due to an ongoing court case and Sports Minister’s inability to take appropriate action, the election of Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) are highly unlikely to be held in 2018, Cricket Age reliably learns.
Thilanga Sumathipala led administration had to leave the SLC on May 31st, due to failing to hold the election on time. Since than, the SLC is under Sports Minister observation and his secretary Kamal Padmasiri is running the show.
“In present situation, the chances of a election this year are very slim. the entire election process takes at least three months, so accordingly, now conducting the election in this year is impossible” a top SLC Official told Cricket Age.
According to sources, the dispute between SLC former president Thilanga Sumathipala and Faizer over the appointment of the election committee is the main reason for the delaying of the election. Faizer, an attorney at law, has made it clear that he wants to appoint independent election committees, not for only for the cricket but for all 64 Sports Associations of the country. Sumathipala, meanwhile, is on view that according to the Sports Law, Faizer can’t impose this kind of circular, as election committee must be appointed through an AGM or SGM of the concerned Sports Association.
Faizer had a discussion regarding the same with representatives of national sports associations two weeks back to get their views and will meet them again on this Tuesday to receive their feedback on the appointment of Election Committees and their powers.
With these intentions, Faizer is again going to Dubai to meet top ICC Officials and get a clear guidance on the current situation of the SLC.
The meeting will take place on August 28 in Dubai between a Sri Lankan delegation headed by Faizer and a delegation headed by ICC President Shashank Manohar. The Minister expects to brief the ICC on the circumstances causing the delay notwithstanding the Court of Appeal clearing the way on July 3. Kamal Padmasiri, the Competent Authority running cricket, and SLC CEO Ashley de Silva are expected to join the Minister.
“I want to have a chat and see what their position is,” said Musthapha.
“Because other countries also have similar issues. For instance in India, the Supreme Court is involved in the mechanism of running their cricket. So I need to get a feedback from them” he added.
