P’ment passes new laws to combat corruption

• Offences under Act will be investigated under Code of Criminal Procedure, can be non-bailable offense  
• Special Investigation Unit can be appointed to investigate charges
• Match-fixing, corruption and illegal betting is defined by law for first time 

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

The Prevention of Offences relating to Sports Bill was passed unanimously in Parliament yesterday. 

The Bill was moved with the objective of investigating and preventing match-fixing, corruption, illegal manipulation and illegal betting.

According to the provisions of this new Act, under which an individual, if found guilty of the offences mentioned, will be charged a fine not exceeding Rs. 100 million or sentencing not exceeding 10 years in prison or both.

Telecommunication, Foreign Employment and Sports Minister Harin Fernando moved the motion outlining the requirement of new laws and to uphold transparency of sports in the country.

According to the provisions of Chapter I of Part II of the Prevention of Offences relating to the Sports Act, match-fixing, corruption, illegal manipulation and illegal betting is defined for the first time in Sri Lanka.

“Any betting that is a financial or other benefit or disadvantage to himself or another person, acts in a manner that ensures the occurrence if any improper performance, acts, omissions or an outcome, which is the subject of illegal bet relating to a sport or any sporting event. Providing with any inside information relating to a sport, any sporting event or any person, to any person including a betting operator, other than in connection with bona fide media interviews and commitments. Provides or receives any gift, payment, reward or benefits, financial or otherwise, that might reasonably be expected to bring such person any sport or sporting event into dispute,” outlined the Act.

In addition, any umpire, match adjudicator or match referee deliberately misapplying the rules of the sports or sporting event for money or any other reward it benefits; any curator or member of venue staff, ground staff or support staff receives money or any other reward to prepare any turf, ground or playing surface of any sport or disclose information of the preparation and condition of the turf, ground or playing surface; and any person including a retired player or any person connected to a sport is utilised by any person to gain access to local or foreign players in order to influence their performance for money or any other reward are also covered.

Referring to the Indian tour 2009, former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain and Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said: “Generally, in an Indian tour we get around $ 14-$ 15 million. 

But, in 2009 they sidelined us and appointed the Secretary of the Sports Minister as the competent authority of the Cricket Board. In that tournament, the agreement stated we were to get $ 6.5 million, but what we had taken eventually was around $ 3.5 million. So, see what a colossal amount has been lost to the country. In such circumstances, these corrupt persons will definitely not want to change these laws. 

The people of this country must know this.”

“This clearly shows what these sports ministers and secretaries have done to obtain money. 

I too would like if these matters are investigated. There is no purpose in coming to parliament and making allegations and going home. All this time this bill had not been brought to parliament by the successive sports ministers. We all know what Thilanga Sumathipala’s family business is. Sumathipala’s company had been engaged in betting since 1999, according to an ICC report. 

Many players had to face the investigations of the ICC and some were implicated and charged. But, I was freed from all charges. There were several sports ministers who tried to stop the corruption in the Sports sector but because of these corrupt officials, they could not do so,” he added.

Offences under this Act will be investigated under the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure and shall be a non-bailable offence.

The Act stipulates that an independent, impartial Special Investigation Unit consisting of a number of police officers with a rank not less than an Assistant Superintendent of Police shall be appointed to investigate any offence under this Act.

Accordingly, at the Annual General Meeting of Sports Associations, a list of eligible voting members must be submitted to its affiliates at least 14 days prior to the meeting. An audited account report must be certified by the relevant chairman, secretary, and treasurer and should be provided to the subsidiaries.

This bill aims to focus against the backdrop of allegations related to match-fixing and corruption, illegal manipulation and illegal betting given that there are no laws to prevent offenses related to sports in Sri Lanka, and the recent International Cricket Committee (ICC) investigators conducting investigations and protesting against such offences.