SLC rejects financial crisis claims, says operations continue without disruption
Colombo, May 19
Sri Lanka Cricket has strongly denied reports suggesting that the board is facing a financial crisis following the appointment of a Cricket Transformation Committee, calling such claims 'entirely false and misleading.'
In a statement issued on Monday, SLC clarified that the committee was appointed by the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs under the powers granted through Sections 32 and 33 of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973, as amended.
The board stated that the appointment legally empowers the committee to oversee and administer all affairs of Sri Lanka Cricket, including its finances, assets, administration, and management, until a new Executive Committee is elected.
"SLC wishes to reiterate that reports suggesting that the organisation is unable to manage its finances or that its financial administration has been adversely affected following the appointment of the Transformation Committee are entirely false and misleading," the board said in a release.
According to SLC, the appointment has already been published in the Government Gazette, granting the committee "full legal authority" to act on behalf of the cricket board in all financial and administrative matters.
The release further explained that under the Sports Law, the powers, functions, management, and control of the institution automatically vest in the committee appointed by the Sports Minister to administer the organisation.
"Accordingly, the duly appointed Transformation Committee is fully empowered and mandated to administer and manage the affairs of Sri Lanka Cricket, including all financial operations and obligations of the organisation, until the election of a new Executive Committee," SLC stated.
The board also stressed that its day-to-day activities continue without disruption despite speculation surrounding the administrative changes. "Sri Lanka Cricket continues to carry out its day-to-day operations, including meeting all financial obligations and administrative functions, without any interruption or hindrance," the release said.
SLC added that all payments to suppliers, service providers, employees, players, and other stakeholders continue to be settled on time.
The clarification comes amid growing scrutiny over governance and administrative developments in Sri Lankan cricket following the formation of the Transformation Committee by the country's Sports Ministry.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone who follows neighboring countries' cricket closely, this pattern of government appointing committees is concerning. SLC should focus on grassroots development rather than endless administrative battles. Remember when Sri Lanka won 1996 WC? That team built over years of consistent management.
Good to hear day-to-day operations are normal. But still, such sudden committee appointments create uncertainty among sponsors and players. We've seen similar situations in our own cricket board. Independent governance is the only way forward for cricket's health in South Asia.
Honestly, this feels like deja vu from what happened with BCCI during the Lodha committee era.Let's hope this transformation actually improves Sri Lankan cricket's transparency and financial management. The players deserve better support systems.
While I understand the need for reform, appointing committees via ministerial power under old Sports Law (1973!) seems outdated. Modern cricket requires modern administration. SLC should voluntarily implement transparent audits rather than wait for government intervention.
My Sri Lankan friends tell me this has been going on for years - government versus board fights while cricket standards drop. At least they're paying players on time which is crucial. But real transformation should come from within the cricket community, not from ministry orders. 🤔
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