As South Africa is gearing up to play Two tests, Five ODIs and one-off T20I, Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) has once again given the responsibility for sales and distribution of tickets to Head of departments Aruna De Silva. However, as this time there is no functioning Administration at SLC, Things are likely to go awry. In this scenario, Country’s Sports Minister seriously needs to look after this very important aspect of the game.
During last two years, as Aruna De Silva has been overseeing tickets sales and distribution, Sumathipala Led administration seldom invited Former Presidents, administrators for home matches. Even if they invites as a formality, they used to send tickets in that manner, that those former President’s/Administrators never gets those complimentary tickets on time. This has become a pattern since last two years.
And now, for South Africa Series, A certain Camp of a former president is ready to cash it big time, to oblige their own people’s by giving them tickets at VVIP Boxes, in order to secure their votes if there is any board election in near future.
Strangely, Aruna De Silva is considered as one of the most loyal SLC Official of that former President. So, this time also, no former presidents/administrators were invited for the South Africa series. Especially those, who recently wrote a letter to Sports Minister Faizer Mustapha for the appointment of an interim committee.
Instead, plan of that former President camp is to give complimentary tickets to only those stakeholders, club officials, who supports them unconditionally for their own benefits.
“The Sports Minister or Competent Authority must look at this aspect, as there is high chance that a certain Camp will use South Africa Series to oblige their people’s in order to get their support if there is any election in near future” A former SLC administrator told Cricket Age.
There are lot of VVIP Boxes, Particularly at R. Premadasa. The venue occupied President Box, Vice Presidents Box, Treasurer Box, Secretaries Box etc. However, as there is no functioning Board at the moment, possibility is that those particular boxes will be filled with the people’s of that former President camp.
This in not the only issue though. There were allegations in the past that Aruna De Silva was used big time by certain members of past committee, especially by former treasurer of SLC Shammi Silva, to manipulate on ticket sales, catering, vendors and earned millions on every tour. Shammi Silva, the most powerful and manipulative administrator of last committee, used to do everything except for accounting.
“Last time around during the Indian series, they made millions by catering orders for the VVIP Boxes” former administrator told further.
It is also noteworthy that since last few home series, SLC employees were also not getting complimentary tickets.
In this scenario, it’s the need of the hour for the Sports Minister or Competent Authority to closely monitor ticket sales and distribution!
