Sports Minister outlines cricket interim committee authority

Thursday, 9 April 2015 02:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sports and Tourism Minister Navin Dissanayake By Ashwin Hemmathagama Our Lobby Correspondent The Sports Minister yesterday confirmed to Parliament that the newly appointed cricket interim committee would be limited to investigating possible corruption within a stipulated period not exceeding one year, which will automatically dissolve its authority. Minister Dissanayake, responding to a statement by Opposition lawmaker Anura Dissanayake said: “The Sports Minister has the authority to appoint an interim committee as per section 32 and 33 of the Sports Law. I was not the first person to appoint an interim committee. My main argument is that you didn’t question the previous interim committees but are now trying to gain a political advantage.” According to the Minister, Rienzie Wijetilleke has headed an interim committee in the 1999-2000 period followed by Wijaya Malalasekara from 2001–2002. Hemaka Amarasuriya’s interim committee was functioning from 2002–2003. Jayantha Dharmadasa interim committee from 2005–2007 followed by Arjuna Ranatunga’s in 2008. D.S. de Silva has led an interim committee from 2009–2011 and 2011 September-December was one led by Upali Dharmadasa. “We have informed the ICC and we are more than willing to give you copies of the letters written. Both the interim committee and the elected officials hold similar authority. They are accountable and report not only to me but to other officers as well. I have appointed two members from the previous interim committee. These members from the previous committee don’t hold any positions but will continue to help with the investigations to expose possible corruption. I will be releasing a media report next week exposing corruption in sports and tourism-related programs. The current interim committee is there for a short period but I am unable to give a fixed period. However, it will not go beyond one year,” confirmed Minister Dissanayake.

Wijegunawardene replaces Jayasuriya as chief selector

Sports Minister Navin Dissanayake has named a new national cricket selection panel headed by Kapila Wijegunawardena, who is also a member of the new interim committee running the affairs of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) currently. Former Sri Lanka fast bowler Wijegunawardena, 51, made his debut in the Lord’s Test of 1991. He played in two Tests and 26 ODIs from 1988 to 1992. He will be joined by Brendon Kuruppu, Hemantha Wickremaratne and Amal Silva – all former internationals-in the panel. The new selection panel was appointed after the panel headed by Sanath Jayasuriya resigned last week. Dissanayake dismissed the SLC administration a day prior to the termination of their term. The interim committee headed by Sidath Wettimuny will run the cricket administration until corruption in the administration is probed, Dissanayake said.

Mathews among Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year

Sri Lankan Captain Angelo Mathews named as one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the year – 2015; Kumar Sangakkara has been nominated as the Leading Cricketer of the year, cricket sources stated. This year’s five cricketers are Moeen Ali, Gary Ballance, Adam Lyth, Angelo Mathews and Jeetan Patel. Australia’s captain Meg Lanning has become the inaugural winner of its Leading Woman Cricketer in the World award. The Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara, who retired from one-day international cricket (ODI) following the recent World Cup and will play for Surrey this season, was named as the Leading Cricketer in the world.