Amid “conflict of interest” debate, Sri Lanka Legend Mahela Jayawardene has resigned as Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) cricket committee chairman, Cricket Age exclusively learns. Club stalwart Samantha Dodenwela has replaced Mahela as the new chairman until the next Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Last month, Cricket Age had raised concerned over Mahela’s occupying the SSC position, after being appointed as Consultant Coach of all national teams of the country. Mahela, who played all his cricket for SSC, was elected as the Cricket cricket committee chairman replacing Dodenwela. Since then, all the coaches, selectors were exported by the SSC to the national setup. Vice versa, all top domestic players from the other clubs were poached by the SSC. That time also, questions were raised against Mahela’s conflict of interest act. Even then, he never bothered to resign from any of the post.
However, his appointment as consultant coach of all the national sides, many in Sri Lanka Cricket circuit felt that he must resign from his other positions.
“Now, he is the Consultant Coach of the national teams. In this scenario, he can’t hold a position in a domestic club” a former SLC administrator had told Cricket Age.
As Per SLC Constitution, a member of elected board can hold a position at club’s as well. However, other beneficiaries don’t fall in this criteria.
“Mahela has resigned from his post and is replaced by Mr. Dodenwela once again” an Insider at SSC told Cricket Age.
However, he needs to resign from Country’s National Sports Council chairman post as well, otherwise his resignation from the SSC won’t serve any purpose. Cricket Age had published last month quoting some of the renowned law experts in the Island that not only Mahela’s post at SSC is unethical and a matter of conflict of interest, but him holding National Sports Council chairman is also a complete violation of country’s Sports Law.
“Well forget about conflict of interest, if he continues as National Sports Council chairman then its a blunt violation under Section 4 (3) of Act 25 of 1973 Sport Law of the country” a law expert in Sri Lanka had told Cricket Age on December 15.
“A member appointed to the council shall cease to hold office in any national association of sports or other Sports Body or organization in Sri Lanka during the continuance of his membership” Section 4 (3) of act 25 of Sports Law reads.
In his new role which is effective for a period of one year, the Mumbai Indians coach will be in charge of the overall cricketing matters of the national teams and will provide strategic support to the players and management teams at the High-Performance Center.
Mahela will also continue the role of mentor and consultant for the U-19 team.
