SLC thwarts embezzlement plot

By Madushka Balasuriya

Sri Lanka Cricket has thwarted an attempt by one of its employees to embezzle $ 5.5 million to an offshore bank account, SLC has confirmed. The money was due to the board from international media network SONY, in relation to the broadcasting rights for England’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. 

“Immediately, upon finding of the attempted fraud, SLC CEO Ashley De Silva lodged a complaint to the Financial Crimes Investigation Division, under the direction of Minister of Sports Faiszer Musthapha,” an SLC media release stated.

The employee in question is understood to be part of SLC’s finance division, whose name has been withheld until the completion of investigations. 

“We came to know about the incident on Friday, with the individual having sent the mail on Thursday. Following internal inquiries over the weekend we decided to lodge a complaint with the FCID,” De Silva told Daily FT.

In the meantime, SLC will also be conducting an internal audit into all financial transactions over the past year.