Once prestigious Galle Cricket Club (GCC) president Kumar Samarasinghe has been accused of unethically safeguarding former secretary Gajaba Pitigala.
One of the most influential but controversial figure at GCC, Pitigala was earlier this year removed from his post following numerous accusations of making money through fake club memberships. The accusations were levelled by the cricket fans itself, who wanted to become the members of the club, but instead were cheated by Pitigala. An investigation was also launched against him, but it seems that the matter has been swept under carpet now.
According to sources, recently club Annual General Meeting (AGM) was called to pass the audited accounts. During the AGM, majority of club members raised questions over delay in investigation against Pitigala. However, Kumarasinghe shamelessly defended him.
“Mr. Samarasinghe eyes on another term at the club. Thus, he doesn’t want to antagonize Pitigala and his supporters. That’s the reason, he is purposely delaying the investigation” a club insider told Cricket Age.
Cricket Age had published in March that, until February last year, Galle CC was offering 5,000 (2,000 deposit + 3,000 per year) membership plan, in order to increase the members. Now it has been stopped, as club offers 13,000 (10,000 deposit + 3000 per year) plan for its new members.
The accusations are that Pitigala, a controversial figure, has made fake members through both the plans.
