Sri Lanka’s Provincial Councils, Local Government and Sports Minister Hon. Faiszer Musthapha has appointed his Ministry Secretary Kamal Padmasiri as the ‘Competent Authority’ to run Sri Lanka Cricket, effective 1st June 2018.
The Minister made this decision after the Appeal Court of Sri Lanka issued an interim injunction order on 30th May to postpone the SLC Elections which were scheduled to be held on 31st May, as the court found the Election Process unconstitutional.
“I will take all steps to ensure that the SLC elections will be held at earliest to elect the new office bearers. I sought opinion from the Attorney General and had to act within a particular legal framework to appoint my Secretary for the best interest of Sri Lanka Cricket. “Hon. Faiszer Musthapha said to the media.
With the two and half year term of the Thilanga Sumathipala led Executive Committee officially ending on 31st May according to the Sports Law, they requested an extension, in order to continue their work, from the country’s Sports Minister.
“After the interim injunction was given by the Appeal Court, we discussed thoroughly as a committee, explained the situation in a two-hour meeting with the Sports Minister and requested for an extension until the proper procedures are followed and an election being held according to the proper guidelines of the constitution. We explained the consequences Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will face if they appoint an interim committee as ICC do not recognize government appointments”. Thilanga Sumathipala said, addressing the media on Thursday.
The SLC Elections was initially scheduled for the 19th of May after the SLC called for nominations from the 6th to 27th April but afterwards the first postponement was made on technical grounds by the Sports Minister, who stated that the Election Committee was not appointed by the stakeholders but only at an Executive Committee (ExCo) meeting.
However, the most recent postponement happened when former Secretary and candidate for the Presidency position at SLC, Nishantha Ranathunga filed a Writ Petition against the Election Committee who have not bound to the constitution of sending notice of an election, 40 days from the scheduled date.
Former Colombo District Secretary, Kamal Padmasiri after the appointment said, “My job is completely to manage all the administrative work at SLC perfectly. I will do my utmost best to ensure that the work at SLC will run smoothly under my authority.”
The Sports Minister will release the new Gazette pertaining to the appointment by midnight.
