Former cricketer Sidath Wettimuny has been accused of hoodwinking Sports Ministry by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), over his National Sports Council (NSC) Appointment.
On February 14, Wettimuny, who played as an opener for Sri Lanka from 1982 to 1987, was named by the Sports Minister in 13 members Council, chaired by Priyantha Ekanayake. The Council is tasked with advising the Minister on the development and regulations of Sports In Sri Lanka.
However, now it has emerged that Wettimuny didn’t Inform Sports Ministry about his Involvement In quite a few matters with SLC.
In a letter addressed to Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage Yesterday (February 24), SLC has raised several questions over Wettimuny’s Inclusion in the Council, citing his active Involvement In certain matters with SLC, which highlights serious case of conflict of Interest!
In the letter, it’s been highlighted that Wettimuny is a primary petitioner in a case pending before the Court of Appeal (CA Writ 460/2020), in which he has initiated legal proceedings against the Minister of Sports, the Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, and SLC. In this petition, among other claims, he has alleged corruption within SLC and advocated for drastic reforms that disregard democratic norms.
It is perplexing that an individual engaged in ongoing litigation against the Ministry has now been appointed as an advisor to the very institution he is challenging in court.
This raises serious questions about his ability to provide objective recommendations, particularly concerning matters related to Sri Lanka Cricket.
Notably, Wettimuny has held various positions under different political regimes, which casts doubt on his consistency and independence.
Under the tenure of former Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, he was appointed as a member of the International Sports Coordination Committee for Sri Lanka to the ICC. This committee was formed with the intent of interfering with SLC’s relationship with the ICC and attempting to install ministerial appointees to influence cricket governance. However, the ICC, as an independent and democratic entity, unequivocally rejected such political interference.
Notably, actions of former Minister Roshan Ranasinghe contributed to significant financial and reputational damage to SLC. Due to political interference, Sri Lanka was temporarily suspended by the ICC, and as a direct consequence, the hosting rights for the 2024 U-19 Cricket World Cup were revoked.
The ICC has since lifted the suspension following assurances from the government that further political interference will be prevented.
By highlighting the grave concern over Wettimuny’s Inclusion, the SLC has urged Sports Minister to review the appointment, citing SLC don’t foresee any constructive or impartial contributions from him, particularly in relation to cricket affairs In order to keep Council free of conflict of Interest and political bias. Now, the onus is on Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage and County’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to address the matter!
How ICC refused to meet Cricket Coordinating Committee In October 2023
The International Cricket Council (ICC) haD categorically refused to meet a three-member Sports Coordination Committee in Cricket appointed by then Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe.
The Minister’s move was seen as yet another attempt to creep into cricket administration via the committee that has been set up to handle the international affairs of the country’s richest sports body.
The Minister had requested a meeting for the committee, which included Wettimuny, former SLC President Upali Dharmadasa and Rakitha Rajapakshe, son of Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, with then ICC Chair Greg Barclay. The ICC had, however, shot down the request and reiterated the need for SLC to govern its affairs autonomously, without any Government interference.
“The ICC’s point of contact for all issues relating to cricket in Sri Lanka will be Sri Lanka Cricket,” said the letter signed by Geoff Allardice, ICC Chief Executive, addressed to Minister Ranasinghe on Friday.
“So the ICC Chair and/or CEO will not be meeting with your International Sports Coordination Committee in Cricket without the endorsement of Sri Lanka Cricket, and no such endorsement has been given,” he maintained.
“As I stated in my letter to you of 11 April, the ICC expects Sri Lanka Cricket to manage its affairs autonomously and ensure that there is no Government (or other public or quasi-public body) interference in its governance, regulation and/or administration of cricket,” he continues.
Under the ICC’s rules, member boards are required to operate independently of Government interference, with the ultimate goal of protecting the integrity of the game. Like most international sports bodies, ICC demands complete independence of its member associations whilst respecting domestic laws.
