Changes to SLC constitution in the offing?

SLC over the years has been dominated by a handful of businessmen who keep on getting elected like in rotation whenever elections are held:

by Sa’adi Thawfeeq

If things work out the way they are being planned then the present elected body of Sri Lanka Cricket will not have a long run in office.

The Sunday Observer learns that moves are a foot with government backing to change the constitution and the voting system of Sri Lanka Cricket.

As a first step towards achieving that goal there is a possibility that the present SLC administration that was elected to office on January 3 will be dissolved and in its place an interim administration being appointed.

This interim body will function only for a period of between three to six months or so until the amended changes are made to the SLC constitution.It is learnt that the International Cricket Council (ICC) are also in favour of the changes and will support the move by Sri Lanka.“This has been in the air for sometime but no one has actually come and spoken to us about it,” said Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Mohan de Silva.

“I am very much for the changes because I also feel that the voter strength should be reduced. But first of all before making any changes we should also be invited to air our views as an elected body. We are open to discussions,” he said. De Silva also stated that the membership has been written to for their views on the changes that are necessary for the constitution and the deadline was April 26. He however added that SLC may extend the deadline by a week as several clubs have asked for time to put forward their proposals.

Former Sri Lanka cricketer and interim committee chairman Sidath Wettimuny who first mooted the idea said that he was also waiting for things to happen.

“I am waiting for somebody to do something. If the Prime Minister has his way he will send these guys home straight away. Nothing concrete has been told. People in the SLC are calling and telling me what’s happening and there is nothing I can do other than tell this to the PM who is keen to make the change,” said Wettimuny. “I am also for bringing down the voter base from 147 to 57 and for changing the constitution but you need accountability also, that’s the key. Unless there is a cabinet change I can’t see this happening,” he said.Former interim committee secretary Kushil Gunasekera also spoke on the same lines as Wettimuny and said, “I have heard that there are moves made by the PM to bring about a change in the SLC but you also need a governing body on top to ensure money is not wasted.”

It is learnt that this interim body will be headed by former Sri Lanka Cricket president Ana Punchihewa. The other members who are expected to be appointed are Kushil Gunasekara, Sidath Wettimuny, Michael Tissera and two others appointed by the government.

The current voter strength which is around 140 plus is also expected to be reduced to 60-70 votes.

SLC over the years has been dominated by a handful of businessmen who keep on getting elected like in rotation whenever elections are held. This is because the membership that comprises clubs, district and provincial associations are gullible to fall prey to money doled out to buy votes by the individual campaigners. This has been the practice over the years and has led to corruption and a staggering wastage of SLC funds.

The current system of voting has deprived honest individuals who want to contribute to the development of Sri Lanka cricket from getting elected to office. So a need for a change has now become imperative.

Colossal waste of funds by SLC

Sri Lanka Cricket has spent an astonishing Rs 40 million ahead of the recently concluded World T20.

The Sunday Observer learns that the money was spent for the T20 World Cup song and for the ‘One Team One Nation’ send-off for the Sri Lanka team to the T20 World Cup held at the Racecourse.

Of this total figure Dialog, the team sponsors had contributed Rs. 17 million.

It is also learnt that SLC has disbursed a staggering amount to certain clubs the reasons for which are quite unknown. Recently CCC were given Rs. 4 million, Ambalangoda Rio SC Rs. 2.5m and Catamarans SC Rs 1.5m.