I was on standby all the time, and not on holiday
‘SLC anti-corruption man on his way out’
In the said article, there is a reference to me stating, “Even prior to this, SLC has replaced employees while their full contracts were on. For instance, former Cricket Manager Charith Senanayake was replaced by Ranjith Fernando after Sri Lanka’s tour of Zimbabwe, and Senanayake earned a holiday with full pay till his contract was over.”
Since the contents do not describe the actual position with regard to myself, I would be grateful if you can kindly rectify it accordingly.
1)Until I heard via the media, I was not aware or informed that I was replaced few days prior to the South African Tour last year. The coverage given by the press again was defamatory, and SLC had to call a press conference and clarify that I was not sacked, but “Rotated”.
2) Since the South African tour, I was put on hold for the rest of the tours that followed. i.e. Australia and the United Kingdom. Basically, I was on standby the entire time, and not on holiday.
3) Manager’s basic salary is negligible compared with other Sports’ staff salaries, and we are somewhat compensated for our efforts only during tours, by way of allowances. I was not compensated for the accumulated losses, being sidelined and not touring.
4) As my contract was extended by one year, after Australia’s tour to Sri Lanka last year (2016), I had to give up the businesses I was involved due to conflict of interest. i.e., sports goods and cricket analysis. The office I had acquired for analysing purposes at Havelocks Sports Club, remains closed to date, due to abrupt closure of operations, with a few good analysts we had in the country, too losing their jobs in the process. Despite losing heavily, financially, by not touring, for which I was never compensated, I also lost out on the business I was involved in.
5) My wife was planning to join me in South Africa and she purchased both International and domestic sector flight tickets, and also obtained a visa to visit South Africa on the strength of a letter issued by SLC. Despite the pain of mind and embarrassment which we had to undergo, we were not compensated for the cancellation of her tickets, visa fees, etc, despite several reminders.
7) My intention was never to sit at home and receive a salary without contributing to Sri Lanka’s cricket positively. However, I had no choice but to sit and await instructions, as I was kept hanging all this while.
Therefore, it is unfair for anyone to say that I am on a paid holiday. I had no control over what transpired. I simply am the victim. Staying at home, out of focus and losing all my work, never was my intention. Therefore, I sincerely hope you will publish the above explanation which clarifies my true position.
9) In conclusion, I do not wish to accuse or point fingers at the writer. I fully understand that it is not his intention to sling mud or hurt me. I simply would like to clear the misunderstanding.