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A report launched to probe and find out the truth of the ‘Born Again’ cult in Sri Lanka’s national sports team selections has been handed to Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe by the five-member Committee appointed by him for the purpose.
This matter has always been talked about in Sri Lanka Cricket and it came to a head when all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne was left out of the home ODI series against Afghanistan, despite scoring 75 in the final game against Australia and being named Player of the Match.
There were allegations that he was left out not purely on form or discipline but for reasons attributed to the ‘Born Again’ cult of which he is not a member.
The five-member Committee headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena, whilst compiling the report has recorded at length several key issues such as the misuse of funds and the influence of social media.
They have also recorded evidence from all relevant parties regarding the influence of the ‘Born Again’ religious sect on the Sri Lankan cricketers. The allegations related to incidents involving the Sri Lanka cricket team that represented the country at the T20 World Cup in Australia.
The Sports Minister has said the report prepared in two parts is a precedent not only for cricket but for the entire field of sports. Based on the findings, the Minister has stated that steps will be taken to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future on the sports field and to safeguard the welfare of the sportspersons involved in sports.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in the meanwhile, has always termed it “baseless allegations” that it is promoting the agenda of a religious group that is being referred to as ‘Born Again’.
In a statement issued on 30 January 2021, SLC said it “steadfastly denies this false and fabricated allegation which has no substance to it”.
“We wish to reiterate to the ardent fans of Sri Lanka Cricket and the public of this country that in no way Sri Lanka Cricket is carrying out an agenda of a religious group and request them to rally around their beloved national cricket team, as done always, in order to carry forward the glory of the ‘One Team One Nation’ brand.”
Other members of the Committee included former Ministry Secretary Kingsley Fernando, retired DIG Sudath Nagahamulla, retired Rear Admiral Ananda Peiris, former cricketer Nalin de Alwis and lawyer Shalani Roshana Fernando.
