SJB MP alleges misuse of funds at SLC

Ratnapura District Member of Parliament Hesha Withanage is alleging gross misuse of funds at Sri Lanka Cricket with members of the Executive Committee using the board’s money for personal use. Pointing at facts from an audit report, the Opposition MP said that the money meant to be used for the development of cricket has been used for the pleasure of Members of the Executive Committee.

According to the MP, the Executive Committee members of the SLC used Rs. 67 million to purchase air tickets and as allowances during the last year’s ICC T-20 World Cup held in Australia.

“Cricket is a sport that is dear to every Sri Lankan. There are so many schools that are struggling unable to meet costs involved with the sport, but SLC is using the money for their own whims and fancies,” the MP alleged during a media briefing in Colombo yesterday.

“SLC President Shammi Silva alone has been allocated a sum of over 11 million rupees to go for the World Cup. I have no issues with him going to Australia, but why spend so much money is my question. Along with SLC President, his wife and wife’s family members have accompanied him to Australia on SLC funds. That is not cricket,” the MP pointed out.

“I am bringing up this point without any malice but to put the sport on the right track. SLC CEO issued letters to 17 people who had nothing to do with cricket so that they could obtain visas to Australia and one of them has not returned back. This is a black mark to the country and a black mark to cricket in Sri Lanka,” the MP went on to say.

“Our cricket is in shambles. We as a party promise to take up these matters in Parliament and debate this. I have all evidence pertaining to this and I intend to submit these documents to CID,” he said.