Minister accused the board of financial mismanagement

The six-member interim board appointed by the minister is to be chaired by Jayantha Dharmadasa.

The new committee included former interim board chairman Rienzie Wijethilake, Kumar Weerasuriya, Adel Hasheem, Triphone Mirando and Damien Fernando, informed sources said.

“Sri Lanka Cricket was running with more than Rs. 400 million debts,” minister Kumaratunga told BBC Sandeshaya after sacking the board.

"Corruption"

Sri Lanka Cricket, formerly known as Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL), has continuously been accused by the authorities of financial mismanagement.

Minister said he had to take a strong action to safeguard the country’s most popular sport.

“When the interim board was run by Rienzie Wijethilake, as far as I remember he left the board about Rs. 800 million savings,” he said when asked as to how interim boards can improve cricket development.

Sumathipala was set to be elected unopposed on 27 March

Sports minister also accused the dismissed board of not listening to his concerns on many issues.

Kumaratunga, a close relative of President Kumaratunga, denied the move was aimed at preventing Thilanga Sumathipala becoming next head of Sri Lanka Cricket.

Sumathipala factor

“I have nothing against Thilanga, but he should have a courtesy to stay away from the board until all the cases against him are resolved.

“I think it is immoral for a person who is charged with financial irregularities to head the board.”

Sumathipala, who headed the BCCSL before, was the only candidate when nominations closed for the election and was set to be elected unopposed on 27 March.

He was sacked from the post twice before by former sports ministers of President Kumaratunga’s governments.

Sumathipala however still heads the charity created after December tsunami, Cricket Aid.

Former star batsman Aravinda De Silva, who was the vice president of Sri Lanka Cricket, is one of the other casualties of minister’s decision.