While Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) is yet to resolve the burning issues like – permanent head coach, spin bowling coach for the national team, Asanka Gurusinha successer for the High Performance centre, suspended coach Chandika Hathurasingha’s future – it’s top administrators have constantly been on overseas joyrides. Particularly, SLC controversial secratary Ravin Wickramaratne is repeatedly breaking his own records in going for overseas joyrides.
Ravin, backed by a fading political family, is presently overseeing both international and domestic cricket at SLC. According to sources, in last seven months after Shammi Silva led administration arrival at SLC, Ravin has traveled overseas for each and every tour of national team, A team and even emerging team!
Not only this, Ravin has the habit, and previllege, to attend any of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Asian Cricket Council (ACC) or any sort of international cricket’s meetings.
In March 2019, Ravin went Dubai for an ICC meeting. In April 2019, he toured Malaysia for ACC meeting. Then, in May/June he visited UK several times for the World Cup. Then he traveled to England again in July. In September, first he was in Bangkok, then in Pakistan!
The list doesn’t ends here, as he has already booked his tickets for upcoming overseas joyrides as well. Tomorrow, he is flying again, this time Dubai. After that, he is scheduled to go to Australia, for Sri Lanka’s three match T20I series.
Ravin Wickramaratne’s Joyrides:
March 2019 – Dubai
April 2019 – Malaysia
May/June – England (World Cup)
July – England
September – Bangkok
September – Pakistan
Upcoming Schedule:
October – Dubai
October – Australia
When Cricket Age inquired regarding Ravin’s frequent joyrides, it learnt that he is entitled to 350$ per day on his overseas trips, excluding all other expenses.
“Yes, he has gone on every tour since coming into power – every ICC meeting, every ACC meeting, every overseas tour. Even though, President, Secretary and CEO are the only ones actually supposed to go, Ravin goes for everything” a top SLC official told Cricket Age.
When inquired further, it also learnt that Ravin’s constant overseas joyride is one of the main reasons of his fallout with former SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala.
“Honorable Thilanga Sumathipala firmly objected Ravin’s habit to grab every opportunity to fly overseas. That was one of the main reasons for their fallout” the top official added.
Interestingly, not only in Shammi Silva’s administration, Ravin toured around the world during Sumathipala’s tenure as well.
“From the day he came at SLC in February this year, about 60% time he has been overseas” the top official added further.
Interestingly, Ravin is still an accused of domestic match fixing scandal between Panadura SC and Kalutara PC. His name still not been cleared and currently ICC is carrying an investigation against him. However, even after being an accused in match fixing, he is constantly traveling with the national team, that raises serious questions over SLC functioning!
