Mathivanan camp back out of seeking legal redress over backdated gazette
An intention of seeking legal action against a backdated gazette notification that helped outgoing Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) administration has been put off by the intended complainants according to reliable sources.
The Sunday Times learns that former SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga, former vice president Kanganathan Mathivanan and Sri Lanka’s first Test skipper Bandula Warnapura, who had allied to file legal action against the backdated gazette, have decided to back out from taking further action, after a prominent political figure had requested them not to do so.
On February 20, Nishantha Ranatunga, spearheaded a campaign against the former SLC administration led by Shammi Silva, by writing a letter through Colombo Colts Cricket Club (Colts), the club he is heading currently. The letter requested the Minister of Sports to appoint an interim committee as the term of office of the Shammi Silve led Executive Committee expires on February
On March 28, the Attorney General informed the Minister of Sports to appoint a management committee to handle the administrative affairs of SLC, to which a five-member committee headed by Aravinda de Silva was appointed to oversee SLC operations until its election is conducted.
The letter sent by Colts clearly stated that the tenure of the SLC administration comes to an end on February 20. The letter was later forwarded to the Attorney General for further study by the Sports Ministry.
Had not for the backdated gazette, the former president, secretary and treasurer of SLC would be ineligible to contest in the upcoming election as they have failed to submit the audited accounts in accordance to its constitution.
The gazette was issued on March 29, dated February 15, which made the former SLC Executive Committee legal as they have submitted the audited accounts on February 25.
With ample of points to argue and prove, Ranatunga and Mathivanan had made all necessary steps to take legal action against the issuing of a backdated gazette. But after a high-ranked political figure requested the duo not to consider any legal moves, Ranatunga and Mathivanan are said to have withdrawn their desire to move into the courtroom.
The Sunday Times also learns that both Ranatunga and Mathivanan may withdraw their nominations from the upcoming SLC election, ascertaining the win of a certain individual.
In addition Colts has written a letter to the current management committee of SLC to probe the conduct of its former Executive Committee and its members, including Shammi Silva, Ravin Wickramaratne and CEO Ashley de Silva. The letter claims an array of misconducts related to finances and management.