Even though three domestic clubs have raised serious questions against the presence of former president Thilanga Sumathipala into the executive committee and several sub committees one month ago, the Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) is trying every possible trick to safeguard the controversial administrator, Cricket Age reliably learns.
On April 6, Cricket Age had published that three Club’s of Sri Lanka have written a letter to Sports Minister Harin Fernando, asking him to intervene and take action against Sumathipala and remove him from the Executive committee.
In the letter, dated March 29, the Club’s have raised Sumathipala’s presence in most of the SLC important committees and have stated that now, as Sumathipala has himself accepted his and his family’d involvement in betting and gaming business, it is highly unethical and dangerous for the game to allow him to involved in Cricket at any capacity.
According to sources, Sports Minister immediately took the appropriate action and referred the letter to SLC. However, even after four weeks, SLC is trying hard to hide the letter in the pressure of Sumathipala himself. It has also learnt that the concerned administrator, whom Sports Minister had referred the letter, has just returned to Sri Lanka after his One month long holiday in Australia. Even then, SLC is under pressure from the Sumathipala to throw the letter into the dustbin.
Cricket Age has the access of the letter that reads:
March 29, 2019
Hon. Harin Fernando
Minister of Telecommunication, Foreign Employment and Sports
Ministry of Sports
Colombo 07.
Hon. Sir,
We refer to the speech made on 18/03/2018 during Ministry of Sports budget debate by Hon. Thilanga Sumathipala,, Member of Parliament where Mr. Sumathipala had admitted that his brother Jagath Sumathipala is directly involved in gaming and betting business and his family too was involved in the same business for a long time Therefore Mr. Sumathipala is not eligible to hold office as an immediate past President at Sri Lanka Cricket under Sri Lanka’s Sports Law and the ICC Code of Ethics..
Sports Law “ 2016.10.27 4A (n) he is directly or indirectly carrying out the business of gaming, betting or wagering”.
ICC Code of Ethics Section 2.6.2 reads
“It is not permitted and an official shall be in breach of this Code if, any member of the Official’s immediate family (being a spouse, parent, sibling, son or daughter or son or daughter-in-law) has a controlling interest in a Betting Organization, a substantial relationship with a Betting Organization, or is employed in the day-to-say operational control of a Betting Organization”.
We as a member of SLC are deeply concerned of Mr. Sumathipala’s involvement with Sri Lanka Cricket as an immediate past President and also heading some of the important committees.
Viz.
Member of the Executive Committee as immediate past President
Member of the Management Committee
Member of the National Development Committee
Chairman of the International Affairs and National Projects Committee
Therefore, as per the power vested on you as the Minister of Sports, we kindly request you to take immediate steps to rectify this matter and prevent Mr. Sumathipala from getting involved in any SLC affairs including attending any SLC Executive, Management, or sub-committee meetings and holding any position or responsibilities at Sri Lanka Cricket.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Club Membership
c.c. Mr. David Richardson
Chief Executive Officer
ICC
It is noteworthy that Cricket Age was the first media group in entire world, Who published the document on March 5, that proved Sumathipala’s brother’s involvement in betting and gaming. Later, former Sri Lanka player and current minister Arjuna Ranatunga tabelled the same document in parliament.
