SLC hands out temporary suspensions to three

Sri Lanka Cricket said that they had imposed temporary suspensions on three of its staff members who have been allegedly involved in the recent pitch fixing scandal following the exposure by the well-known international television channel Al Jazeera.

The TV news channel broadcast a documentary on Sunday showing a groundsman and a player allegedly discussing altering the state of the pitch at Galle during second Test between Sri Lanka and Australia in 2016.

SLC vice president Mohan de Silva speaking at a special press conference held at SLC headquarters yesterday said, “We cannot take action at this stage but we have temporarily suspended three personnel who have been alleged to have been involved pending investigations, namely district coach Tharindu Mendis, assistant manager Tharanga Indika and former Sri Lanka player and Western Province coach Jeevantha Kulatunga.”

“We didn’t take any action regarding Dilhara Lokuhettige because he was not attached to SLC and he lived in Australia but if the ICC requested any details regarding him SLC is ready provide the necessary support,” he said.

Speaking further De Silva stated, “There have been no complaints regarding the Galle pitch from the captains, umpires or the match referee during the Test match between Australia and Sri Lanka in 2016. The players did not complain, the captains’ report, umpires report and the match referee’s report did not say anything about the pitch. There is nothing adverse about the pitch. It is difficult to believe there was any wrongdoing.”

“We lodged a complaint on Sunday with the Sri Lankan police, who have initiated a separate criminal investigation and also appointed a three-member panel to investigate the matter and issue recommendations to prevent any corruption at future matches in Sri Lanka,” De Silva further said.

The three member committee comprises Mohan de Silva, secretary Roshan Biyanwela and SLC anti-corruption manager Ayesh Weerakody.

SLC chief executive officer Ashley de Silva said the alleged involvement of Sri Lankans in the scandal has blown the island’s reputation. “It has created a kind of a bad impact on the organization and the country as a whole, We are not encouraging this type of thing (corruption),” de Silva said.

The SLC has said that they are extending their fullest co-operation to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit which is investigating into the exposure made by the television channel.

Nishantha Files Petition Against Sumathipala

Meanwhile Nishantha Ranatunga, who is contesting for the post of president at the forthcoming Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) election, has filed a petition in the Court of Appeal yesterday seeking an injunction order preventing incumbent president Thilanga Sumathipala from contesting.