Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) on Monday issued a clarification on former president Thilanga Sumathipala’s participation in the board meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC), that took place last week, after Cricket Age exposed that the former president and the board were spreading lie about the incident.
Interestingly, but not surprising, SLC Top officials put all the blames on media unit by making media manager Prasanna Rodrigo an easy scapegoat for their manipulation.
The SLC Media release reads :
“A Clarification
Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to clarify the following pertaining to the Media Release issued under the title of ‘’Sri Lanka Cricket Secures US$ 11.5 million of ICC Funds;’’ on the 04th March, 2019.
In the said release, SLC stated erroneously that the entire delegation attended the ICC Board Meeting, however, it should be corrected as, President Mr. Shammi Silva attended the Board Meeting with full member status.
A series of other discussions SLC held with the ICC officials were attended by the Immediate Past President Hon: Thilanga Sumathipala and Secretary Mr. Mohan De Silva.”
On Sunday, Sumathipala embroiled in a massive controversy, after claiming to attend an International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting. Sumathipala Camp didn’t waste much time in circulating photographs on social platforms. Further, later in the day SLC also comfirmed it by issuing a media statement, stating that Sumathipala participated in the ICC Board meeting along with SLC President Shammi Silva and secretary Mohan De Silva.
However, Cricket Age had exposed yesterday itself that Sumathipala and SLC were spreading lie about his participation.
A day later, on Monday, the ICC Officially confirmed to Cricket Age that Sumathipala didn’t attend any of the ICC meetings.
“Mr. Sumathipala was not present at the ICC board meeting, SLC was represented by Shammi Silva. Although, I understand he (Sumathipala) was in Dubai, but he did not attend or participate in any ICC meeting” a top ICC official had confirmed Cricket Age.
It is noteworthy that during his previous tenure at SLC as President even, Sumathipala could never attended ICC meetings, due to his alleged involvement in his family betting and gambling business. He had always skipped ICC meetings and used to send other SLC officials to attend the meetings.
However, as now, he has brought back his dummy Shammi Silva as SLC President, he is trying his best to salvage his lost pride!
