Minister to meet Sirinivasan:

ICC not likely to bar SLC

by Ranjan Anandappa

Calling for a SLC election is not going to solve prevailing problems, it will only aggravate matters, was the views of the Minister of Tourism and Sports Navin Dissanayake when he spoke at the press conference to introduce the newly appointed SLC Interim Committee headed by former Test opener Sidath Wettimuny at the SLC Headquarters.

The minister said that Interim Committees are nothing new for Sri Lanka cricket, as more than 50% of their tenure has being run under Interim Committees. However, minister Dissanayake assured that a election will be held at the correct time.

The minister said that initially he had an idea of having an election after the World Cup. However he had to put off the idea there were some irregularities being done at the Cricket Board, so he had to think matters over and had to go over the issue and come to a firm decision.

The Minister had come to the conclusion of putting back the elections and going over the matter carefully so that a proper set-up could be reached for the election to various posts.

The three-member fact finding report which the Minster has appointed also had revealed various financial irregularities with regard to TV rights. So if there are any irregularities, they should be cleared up, before a proper election could be held

‘we feel that a hap-hazard election will only complicate the process. We do not want any complications. We want cricket cleaned up if it is not cleaned“. He further said that he wanted certain proceedings to be followed.”

We are definitely bringing in certain transparency provisions for the TV rights deals and also the ICC monies as to how it is going to be spent. So we feel that this Interim Committee will bring those changes. Anybody who takes over thereafter, will have to adhere to the changes and stressed”. Particularly the TV rights transactions and also the ICC 16 million dollars which the Cricket Board hopes to receive.

It is a very transparent process. It is a selection and not an election. Elections will be at the appropriate time when the ground situation and the circumstances are right” the Minister said. Minister Dissanayake emphasised that he had the authority to appoint an Interim Committee and implement the Sports Law. And according to clause 32,33,34 it was done and from the day it was- gazetted, the feed back has been tremendous and extremely positive from the cricket loving public in the country.

Sri Lanka cricket - a long history

Referring to the ICC stand on the election of an Interim Committee, the Minister said that Sri Lanka Cricket has a very long and distinguished, diplomatic and a corporate relationship with the ICC.

“In 1980, when we gained full ICC status, we had cordial relationship with the ICC and it will continue to be the same in the future too. We do not want to have any clashes with the ICC, and hope to solve all relating problems amicably through discussions.

I have already spoken to ICC CEO Dave Richardson and also hope to meet ICC Chairman N. Sirinivasan because we are hoping to go ahead without problems.

We would like to tow the line with the laws of the other countries and even for amendments, but that too should be done through discussion. For the past three or decades past sports ministers have been entrusted with power. I too, have been vested with power due to the Sports Act. So I will implement the Act as I have the back-bone to do so.” said the minister.

The Minister Of Tourism And SportsNavin Dissanayake said that he will soon meet N,Sirinivasan the Chairman of the ICC along with theChairman Interim Committee Sidath Wettimuny to clarify certain issues which he belioeves is untrue and also ,reassured that ICC is unlikely to de-recognise SLC once these clarifications have beenmade.

We like to discuss matters with the ICC although we have no major issues. At times wrong information would have gone to Dave Richarson and Sirinivasan. We are prepared to clarify those issues with the ICC.

The former Sri Lanka opening batsman Sidath Wettimuny who is the first Test centurion scoring a ‘ton’ against Pakistan and well remembered for his epic 190 at ‘Lords’ said that initially he was hesitant , but after speaking to him he realised more than being the Sports Minister his passion towards the game like his father.

He convinced me that I need to come and get involved in the game. Because we were in the same pages and because of his father and where our cricket is today.

There were some concerns in cricket today and felt that this is the time that I need to come forward and support Sri Lanka Cricket. “ He (Minister) was very precise and said ,I will give you a good team and a free hand , but you have to deliver and I will hold you responsible and smiled.

I am sure what he would have meant was “ if you don’t deliver I will kick you out”.

I was very happy because we had everything cut and dry and we have perfect understanding in how we do things. Wettimuny went on to say that the most important aspect should be the good intentions about Sri Lanka Cricket.

If I have good intentions about Sri Lanka Cricket my actions will be good. , and if the actions are good results will naturally follow.

He believed with the competent set of officials in the Interim Committee he could change the direction of the our cricket.

But stressed that they will have to be patient. Wettimuny also said that Sri Lanka cricket captain Mahela Jayawardene who has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket - Test and ODI and Muttiah Muralitharan is also willing to help develop cricket at grass root level and school level in an honorary capacity.