• Affirms follow up action on misuse of SLC funds lies with Govt. 
• Mahanama challenges those with proof of cult to substantiate charges
• Stresses success at 2027 ICC Men’s ODI WC will be systematically targeted 

The Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) Transformation Committee Chair Eran Wickramaratne says that it will be up to the Government to look into any follow up action on the staggering travel bill incurred by the Shammi Silva headed SLC Ex-Co.

He made this comment to The Daily Morning Sports, following the monthly press conference held by the CTC, and held at the SLC headquarters at Maitland Place on Tuesday (27).

“We are not here to dwell on the past,” the former MP said. “But at the same time, we need to rectify the mistakes and put forth a new governance framework for cricket in this country and that is our primary task.”  

Wickramaratne noted that the figures recently published in the print media has to be looked at by an independent auditor and that looking into numbers alone will not suffice.

“I feel the reasons for incurring such staggering amounts will need to be looked at, and whether the reasons were legitimate or not,” he said.

“And then the process has to be looked at. And then only a determination could be arrived at.”

The SLC Transformation Committee Chair observed that in his view, it was unlikely his Committee would be called upon to pursue any legal action or otherwise against the previous SLC Ex-Co over the same.

“That is because we are not here to look at the past. We are here basically to look at the present and the future, as the Transformation Committee. But if the Government seeks to have an audit done into it anyway, then it is up to them to pursue whatever action they deem suitable in that regard.”

Wickramaratne-a banker turned politician reiterated that his Committee’s agenda is focussed on rebuilding the sport, and dismissed suggestions that they could be driven to pursue punitive action against their predecessors in light of the newest revelations.

However, he emphasised at the same time that if there were to be an investigation into mismanagement of SLC funds by the ousted SLC Ex-Co, the CTC will willingly corporate, but opined that it should not be construed as a witch hunt against the Silva-led Ex-Co.

Pressed for the rough period by which time a fresh SLC Ex-Co could be in office following the enactment of the new Constitution, the former State Minister confidently claimed that the next set of office bearers could be in office during the first quarter of 2027.

Meanwhile, former Sri Lanka captain Roshan Mahanama in his maiden interaction with the domestic press corps since being named to the Committee, challenged those who allege the presence of a religious cult in the domestic cricketing setup to substantiate their claims with proof.

He unequivocally rejected such allegations targeting a former colleague of his, namely Ruwan Kalpage and along with Sidath Wettimuny-the head of the Cricket Committee of SLC, insisted that sport has no place whatsoever for differences in race, religion, cast, or creed.

Mahanama, also a former ICC Match Referee painstakingly explained that such issues had never cropped up even during the playing days of spin ace Muttiah Muralidaran-a celebrated cricketer from the nation’s minority Tamil community.

He questioned the logic in such claims being made and hastened to add that the country has reached a stage where such differences have to be eschewed on all fronts, let alone in sports for the greater benefit of all citizens here.

Both Mahanama and Wettimuny added that the Transformation Committee was determined to set in motion a systematic programme aimed at success at next year’s ICC Men’s ODI World Cup in Southern Africa, following the recent resurgence in form of the national team in the format.

The duo added that it will be undertaken with the input of head coach Gary Kirsten, following the team’s return home from their ongoing all-format tour to Pakistan.