Supreme Court grants SLC two months to file limited objections in Mathi’s FR application
The Supreme Court on Thursday granted a two-month period for Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and its office bearers to file limited objections in response to a Fundamental Rights (FR) application filed by veteran cricket administrator K. Mathivanan. The matter was taken up before Supreme Court Judges Priyantha Fernando and Sobhitha Rajakaruna.
During the proceedings, counsel appearing for the President of SLC and other respondents sought time to file limited objections before the petitioner’s application is formally supported. Taking these submissions into account, the Court granted the request, allowing a two-month window. The petitioner, K. Mathivanan, has reserved the right to file counter-objections should he deem it necessary.
A notable concern raised by the Court was the absence and lack of representation of the state parties. The Minister of Sports, Deputy Minister, Secretary to the Ministry, and Director General of Sports were neither present nor represented. As a result, the Court directed the petitioner to re-issue notices to the aforementioned parties.
Mathivanan, a former Vice President of SLC and a long-standing stakeholder in domestic cricket, has filed a Fundamental Rights petition challenging the legitimacy of the current SLC office bearers. He alleges serious breaches of the Sports Law, abuse of process, and deliberate manipulation of regulations to benefit a select few entrenched officials.
A key issue raised in the petition concerns the amendments to sports regulations which altered term limits. Previously, regulations stipulated a maximum of four years for SLC presidents and eight years for executive committee members. However, these were abruptly revised in 2024 by former Sports Minister Harin Fernando.
According to Mathivanan, the changes were designed to enable the continued presidency of Shammi Silva, who had already served six years, along with other long-serving officials. More troublingly, the amended regulations—although gazetted—were never approved by Parliament. The petition states that SLC proceeded to amend its own constitution on the basis of these invalid regulations, thereby breaching both the Sports Law and SLC’s own constitution.
The petition further challenges the integrity of the election process for the 2025-2027 term, claiming it was orchestrated to stifle fair participation. Unlike previous elections which allowed a minimum of 14 days for nominations and objections, this time only five days—effectively three working days—were given. Mathivanan argues that this unreasonably truncated timeline made it virtually impossible for independent or new candidates to gather the necessary documents and endorsements. Furthermore, objections he submitted were dismissed on a technicality: he was told that only ‘members’ of SLC could object, despite his status as a prospective nominee and experienced administrator.
The petition lists numerous alleged disqualifications affecting the second to eighth respondents—current office bearers of SLC. These include exceeding the maximum term limits, failing to file asset declarations, mismanagement of funds, and conflicts of interest. The allegations extend to failure in submitting timely audited financial reports, engaging in corrupt practices, and misappropriating SLC funds to finance political activities disguised as youth initiatives. One such initiative, ‘Smart Youth 2024’, ostensibly intended to empower young people, allegedly functioned as a political promotional platform, costing SLC approximately Rs. 35 million.
Particularly serious are allegations stemming from two audit reports—one by an independent inquiry panel and another by the Auditor General—both highlighting financial mismanagement, including misuse of funds from the ICC T20 World Cup 2022. These reports accuse SLC office bearers of document fabrication, awarding contracts to companies linked to officials, and diverting resources for personal and political gain. Despite these damning findings, those implicated were allowed to contest—and win—re-election.
The Election Committee (Respondents 9 to 13) is also under scrutiny. Mathivanan alleges that the committee colluded with SLC leadership to suppress valid objections and deny transparency, thereby facilitating uncontested elections for disqualified candidates. He argues that the manipulations go far beyond personal grievances and threaten the integrity of Sri Lanka Cricket itself.
The petition also reveals that former Sports Minister Harin Fernando not only introduced the impugned regulations but also revoked a prior suspension issued under Section 32 of the Sports Law, which had targeted the same officials. This action, according to Mathivanan, effectively shielded those accused from accountability. The current Sports Minister and senior Ministry officials (Respondents 26 to 29) are accused of failing to act on several complaints submitted to them, thereby neglecting their legal responsibilities under the Sports Law.
Other alleged irregularities include the appointment of officials exceeding the maximum permissible age, undisclosed conflicts of interest in sponsorship deals, and committee members benefitting from SLC contracts. The third and fifth respondents are specifically accused of both breaching age limits and engaging in business dealings with SLC while holding office—acts that are expressly prohibited by law and the SLC constitution.
In his plea, Mathivanan seeks not only to invalidate the current appointments but also calls for an independent audit, restoration of fair nomination and objection periods, and reinstatement of parliamentary-approved term limits. He has also sought interim reliefs, including orders to bar current office bearers from accessing SLC funds and requiring them to submit asset declarations.
The petitioner, K. Mathivanan, was represented by Saliya Peiris PC. Representing SLC and its Executive Committee were Dr. Romesh de Silva PC, appearing with Niran Anketell and Wasanthakumar Niles, instructed by Sanjay Fonseka.
Upul Kumarapperuma PC appeared for the SLC’s Election Committee, also instructed by Sanjay Fonseka. For Ashley de Silva, the Chief Executive Officer of SLC, Kuvera de Zoysa PC led the representation, appearing with Shantha Jayawardena and Sajana de Zoysa, instructed by Sanjay Fonseka.
Additionally, Chandaka Jayasundere PC, along with Charaka Jayaratne, appeared for the committee members of SLC, instructed by Sanjay Fonseka.