Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) veteran vice president Jayantha Dharmadasa’s close aide Shibley Vilcassim has been accused of using Board vehicle, Cricket Age reliably learns.
Dharmadasa, who was dramatically parachuted at Maitland Place in the last week of July following the resignation of K. Mathivanan, is overseeing International cricket since then. While, there is no International cricket for almost 7 months now due to Covid-19, the SLC is gearing up for Lanka Premier League (LPL) in November, which will see the participation of plethora of top overseas T20 players, including Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Shahid Afridi, Faf du Plessis and Carlos Brathwaite.
In July itself, Cricket Age, in a series, had exposed how Dharmadasa’s loyals immediately tried to take control over International cricket at Mainland Place, especially Shibly.
Owner of ‘The Cricket Shop’, situated in Colpetty, Colombo-3, Shibly immediately started dreaming of revival of his business after Dharmadasa’s arrival. However, as Shammi Silva has firmly tighten the grip over SLC in post Sumathipala era and is not allowing malpractices, Shibly is focusing on different ways to reap the benefits.
“Recently board bought vehicles for International Cricket department (as old vehicles maintain cost was too much). It was for team travel and tour managers use. The official at the department, who is entitled for a vehicle, has already given a vehicle. We have no Idea, on what basis Shibly is using the vehicle” an insider at SLC told Cricket Age.
In July, it was K. Mathivanan, one of the most popular cricket administrator in Sri Lanka, decision to quit, which made the way for Dharmadasa’s return. However, his loyals shamelessly links it with politics.
“From ground floor to top floor at maitland place, from morning to evening, they uses a certain political family’s name, present them as their representatives. Majority of board employees are already fed up with these tactics” the SLC insider added.
