Playing with a straight bat

Saturday, 23 May 2015 00:00 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

THE drawn-out standoff between Sri Lanka Cricket and cricket’s governing body, the International Cricket Council, may have reached tipping point after reports shed light on the ICC’s scepticism over the Sri Lankan Government’s involvement in SLC’s activities.

According to reports, SLC Interim Committee member Nuski Mohamed had informed the ICC of the actions taken by the Government, following which the ICC communicated its stance to Sports Minister Navin Dissanayake in writing via ICC Chairman N. Srinivasan and ICC Chief Executive David Richardson on 23 April.

The letter conveyed the ICC’s concern over action by the Government, questioning its intention to act in the best interests of cricket in Sri Lanka, and drew attention to the decision of the Government to renege on a commitment made by the former President that stadia construction costs of Rs. 567m incurred by SLC in the lead-up to Cricket World Cup 2011 and owed to a company known to the ICC as SEC (i.e. State Engineering Corporation of Sri Lanka) would be waived in their entirety.

As a result of this commitment no longer being honoured by the new Government, it had decided to require SLC to make such payment, which Mohamed was in the process of restructuring through a long-term repayment plan by SLC.

The issue of the appointment of an interim committee was also brought up in the letter, pointing out that there is a clear prima facie case of political interference, which the ICC does not tolerate under its constitution. Furthermore, the ICC stated in the letter that it would not mind political interference if it was a genuine effort to curb corruption in cricket.

The ICC letter emphasised that it was not the ICC’s place to “challenge or question the rationale behind the imposition of the Interim Committee”, adding that it supported all efforts to free sports administration from corruption. 

ICC in its letter also noted that it would have been possible to avoid this situation if the Sports Minister and/or the SLC had brought the matter to the attention of the ICC before appointing the interim committee.

Meanwhile, SLC stakeholders urged the Sports Minister to hold an Annual General Meeting before 31 August to avoid the dangers that may arise from the implementation of regulations as per the ICC Governance guidelines with regard to the unjustifiable political interference in member Boards.

Since the ICC’s letter in April, the SLC interim committee as well the Minister have downplayed any remaining enmity between the two organisations. Meanwhile, the SLC sent a delegation, which included the Minister, to hold discussions with the ICC in Dubai which Interim Committee Chairman Sidath Wettimuny described as “cordial”.

The discussions were somewhat successful as the ICC conditionally agreed to release funds to the SLC. Ten days prior to the meeting, the ICC had agreed to release 2.5% of the escrowed amount and have ensured that enough funds have been released for the SLC to function as normal. However, despite protests by the SLC, the ICC maintains that Sri Lanka does not have voting rights at the ICC.

Despite remaining concerns, the Minister decided to hold the SLC elections early next year but it is still unclear if the ICC finds this agreeable. SLC has to ensure that its relationship with the ICC does not break down to a level in which sanctions or cutbacks are imposed.

Instead of isolating the ICC, it is in the best interest of SLC and to keep the lines of communication open with the ICC and ensure that it is kept informed of any punitive actions or reforms.

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