(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – The Secretary of the Ministry of Sports informed the Court of Appeal that the money received by the Sri Lanka Cricket, the cricket governing body from abroad should be subject to a government audit and that the money should not be arbitrarily spent as pleased but for the betterment of Sri Lanka Cricket.
Additional Solicitor General President’s Counsel Milinda Gunathilake, who appeared on behalf of the Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, stated this when the Court of Appeal considered the petition filed by the Sri Lanka Cricket against the Cricket Interim Committee appointed by the Minister of Sports.
The petition was heard by Justices of the Appellate Court Sobitha Rajakaruna and DN Samarakoon.
Speaking further, Sports Secretary said the existence of the Sri Lanka Cricket depends on its registration.
“Accordingly, it received government recognition. Accordingly, the Auditor General started the audit. There should be transparency about the money coming to this institution. That should be the purpose of the audit. The money received by the Sri Lanka Cricket Institute from foreign countries should be used for the development of cricket. There should be transparency and accountability regarding the money received from foreign countries. The Auditor General is intervening for that purpose. Two audit reports have been presented here. From them, large-scale financial irregularities have been revealed in the Sri Lanka Cricket.”
“The cricket stadium that was started in Polonnaruwa area was started after spending millions, but the project has not been completed. Moreover, Sri Lanka Cricket has given 84 million rupees to the Southern Province Sports Club, which has not held official elections for many years. Sri Lanka Cricket should be accountable to the government. Accordingly, registration has been given to the Sri Lanka Cricket Institute. On the other hand, according to the Audit Act, the relevant institution is obliged to provide the relevant documents during the government audit. Sri Lanka Cricket has committed a mistake by not providing the documents in a proper manner. Accordingly, it should be prosecuted before the magistrate court. The Sri Lanka Cricket Board has misplaced very important documents and on the other hand, the Sri Lanka Cricket Board has submitted the judicial audit report by concealing the essential facts.”
The Sports Secretary said the petitioner should come to the court and prove that the relevant audit report is false and invalidate it. But if he does not do so, there is no point in coming to the court against the Sports Minister and the interim committee. Accordingly, this petition should be dismissed without hearing, he told the court.
The Court of Appeal decided to take up the case for further hearing on Thursday (Nov 24).
