As a ‘backdated’ gazette drama has put country’s Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa under scanner and has given another twist to Sri Lanka Cricket politics, claims of ousted president Shammi Silva in past regarding his tenure have raised several questions against his conduct as well.
An extraordinary gazette notification, which was strategically circulated last week by interested parties, indicates that the Namal had given authorization for Shammi Silva led administration that they could function in their offices till April 4 although their terms ended on the 21st of February.
This comes in the wake of country’s Attorney-General (AG) Department’s recommendation that the present office-bearers term had expired on 20 February and that SLC should be placed under a new management committee till the elections on 20 May.
Shammi Silva, however, continued to claim that his administration is eligible to remain at Maitland Place untill the next AGM.
“The Sports Minister has all the powers under section 33 of the Sports Law to even appoint the same committee to continue until the AGM is held on 20 May. We’ll see what steps the Minister will take with regard to the AG’s recommendation,” Shammi Silva said to a local news paper on March 29.
But now, as it has emerged that minister had given authorization for Shammi Silva led administration that they could function in their offices till April 4 although their terms ended on the 21st of February, the question raises is that was former SLC president unaware of the existence of such gazette?
Secondly, being the representative of Sri Lanka cricket in world cricket, on what basis he was claiming to continue until the next election, when technically his term was already over?
Also, Cricket Age understand that Shammi Silva had written to the Minister and emphasized that they have started work in may 2019 and they can be in office till such time. Subsequently, prestigious Colts Cricket Club provided information of ExCo meetings on 24th February 2019 and approvals obtain of Shammi Silva travel for ICC meetings.
Shammi Silva’s committee was elected on the 20th of February 2019 and accordingly their two year term ended on the 20th of February 2021. Failure to submit audited accounts makes the President, Secretary and Treasurer of a sporting body ineligible to contest subsequent elections.
