Overjoyed by a much needed lifeline by Court Of appeal Yesterday after securing an Interim Order against the implementation of gazette issued by Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Incumbent president Shammi Silva filed his nomination for the top post third time in a row on Tuesday with the same team, Cricket Age Exclusively learns.
Nominations deadline for the forthcoming SLC election, which is scheduled on May 20, is ending today!
Unlike in past, this time around SLC present administration was fighting against Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, Instead of opposition camp. Roshan Ranasinghe, who has been at loggerheads with Maitland Place bosses since long time, had issued a series of regulations on December 14, with regard to the matters including the tenure of Sports Associations, holding elections, term of office of the positions held in sports associations and age limitations.
However, Yesterday ( February 27) the Court of Appeal issued an interim order preventing the implementation of the gazette notification in relation to the regulation of activities of sports associations including Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), until the hearing of the writ petition filed by the Cricket Board and several sports associations is concluded.
The attorneys of the petitioning party stated to the Court Of appeal that the Minister has violated the power of the Parliament by enacting the laws, pointing out that the relevant regulations are against the law.
As per the new Gazette, any person who has held office as President of a sports body for four years (two terms) will become ineligible to hold office for a third term. Although that person can hold any other position other than President in the sports body if he had served that association, federation or board in any other capacity for a period of four more years, totaling to eight years of service to the sport, he will become ineligible to hold any position.
Furthermore, any official who has served a sports body for eight years in any capacity becomes ineligible to serve furthermore. Cricket in particular was supposed to face an overhaul change following the Ministerial directive.
However, yesterday, the SLC produced a letter by former Sports Ministry secretary, which was sent to board treasurer Sujeewa Godaliyada. In the letter, former Sports Ministry secretary, a day before his retirement on December 31st, allowed SLC to go ahead with the election under previous gazette!
As for as the opposition is concerned, Cricket Age Exclusively published earlier in the day that disappointed by the Court Of Appeal’s Interim order against the implementation of gazette issued by Roshan Ranasinghe, they have decided to contest the forthcoming board election only under new gazette, otherwise to skip! In this scenario, Shammi and his team is set to be elected uncontested on May 20.
Shammi Silva’s Team For the Forthcoming Election:
Jayantha Dharmadasa (Vice President, International Cricket)
Ravin Wickramaratne (Vice President, Domestic Cricket)
Mohan de Silva (Secretary)
Crysantha Kapuwatha (Assistant Secretary)
Lasantha Wickramasinghe (Treasurer)
Sujeewa Godaliyada (Assistant Treasurer)
