Interim committee rumour haunts SLC
The Maitland Place drama has taken a dramatic turn when panic gripped the beleaguered SLC executive committee with rumours saying that the authorities were contemplating to dissolve the present governing body and set up an interim committee.
During the past few weeks there had been mayhem at Sri Lanka Cricket headquarters, with the infighting between President Jayantha Dharmadasa and Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga hitting an all-time high. Never in the history of Sri Lanka cricket have the problems between factions come out to the open so blatantly as it is now.
Under duress but a fragile peace prevailed between Jayantha Dharmadasa and Nishantha Ranatunga during Mahela Jayawardena’s farewell at the SSC grounds – our colleague Wasantha Siriwardena captured this moment.
It all began with the two individuals in question deciding to have a go at the President’s chair at the next SLC elections which are due to be held before March 31 next year. The bone of contention is the distribution of funds among the stakeholders to be utilized towards the development of facilities at their respective clubs and organisations. The amount of money to be distributed is a staggering Rs. 200,000,000.
Once the stake turned sour and a clash erupted between the two factions over the modalities of the distribution, many VIPs and VVIPs tried their hand at dousing the fire, but, the peace was short lived and the allegations and counter allegations once again took the centre stage.
In the midst, mid last week the rumour to the effect that an interim committee was going to be set up by the sports minister replacing the present governing body surfaced. Even names like Jayantha Dharmadasa’s brother Upali and Nishantha Ranatunge’s brother Dhammika were mentioned as members of this new unit.
However, if a new interim committee is set up, the losers will be the stakeholders who are caught in the crossfire. Insiders believe that it is this fear that has prompted a section of the stakeholders to write an urgent letter to SLC President Dharmadasa, requesting the fast disbursement of the funds.
The letter dated September 12 reads:
“PROPOSALS SUBMITTED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF CRICKET
“As you are aware the EXCO unanimously approved the distribution of funds to stakeholders after studying development proposals “centered around Cricket” submitted by the stakeholders.
“Referring to the communications already issued by you and the Secretary on the distribution of funds with subsequent nominations of an appointed committee to analyse and coordinate the development proposals to be submitted by the stakeholders, it is regrettable to note there has not been any progress since then.
“During the last few weeks there have been many queries from the stakeholders inquiring as to the status and also questioning the delay of releasing the mentioned funds which has (sic) already been notified to them. Some of us being a part of the appointed committee in addition to representing the EXCO are facing many difficulties as to what has to be told keeping in mind protecting the status of SLC as well as that of the EXCO.“Please note the stakeholders are wondering and some of them have even begun to spread various allegations that a few individuals of the EXCO is (sic) behind this delay and are purposely holding up the distribution of much needed and promised assistance to them. The attitude of stakeholders is fast becoming unfriendly and is turning to be very damaging to the entire EXCO and that of the SLC. As such we take this opportunity to sincerely request you to expedite the distribution of funds to the stakeholders and to take necessary steps to release the funds at the earliest.
The letter was signed by Shammi Silva, Jayananda Warnaweera, Ashly Rathnayaka, Dr. Sanjaya Sedera Senerath and Dilshan de Silva”
The letter was copied to all Executive Committee Members, all stakeholders and the SLC’s CEO.
When we inquired from an executive committee member about the interim committee, he said that he too heard about the development, but, so far there had been no moves from any quarter to make it real.
It also learned that even if an Interim committee is set up it will be for a short period of mostly two months.