Faiszer looking to change regulations before cricket elections

Sports Minister Faiszer Musthapha wants to amend the regulations pertaining to the appointment of election committees of national sports bodies before calling for fresh elections to Sri Lanka Cricket.

Accordingly, the minister has summoned representatives from all 66 registered National Sports Associations for a meeting on Tuesday to get their opinion to make the appointment of election committee more transparent and democratic.

“I feel there are some technical flaws in the existing system,” Minister said. “Therefore I have called for a meeting of all stakeholders, rather than taking cricket in isolation and issuing directives, to get their views to change some regulations and issue a directive with regard to the holding of elections of sports bodies.

Among the invitees for Tuesday’s meeting are former SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala and Secretary Roshan Biyanwila.

According to the existing regulations, the NSAs shall have the powers to specify the procedure for election, removal, qualification, composition, term and the responsibilities of the members of the Election Committee. The Election Committee should be appointed at a Special General Meeting.

“I have identified certain clauses, primarily who should be in an Election Committee, whether we should have a pre- selection criteria for those elected to the election committee and etc. So we will discuss this and come to finality,” he said.

Currently, NSA’s by law bound to wait 40 days from the announcement of an election to hold elections which the minister believes that -- it should be reassessed.

Sri Lanka Cricket’s elections which was scheduled for May 31 were postponed after the Court of Appeal found that election protocol had been flouted by the cricket administrators.

This resulted in the appointment of a Competent Authority to look after the cricket affairs until fresh elections are conducted. However on July 4, Court of Appeal vacated the earlier interim injunction and asked the Ministry of Sports to set time frame to conduct elections as per the existing laws.

The Court issued the ruling as a result of a petition filed by SLC presidential candidate Nishantha Ranatunga against the legitimacy of incumbent President Thilanga Sumathipala’s candidacy, on the basis of the latter’s familial ties to the gaming industry.

Minister said no sooner the anomalies are sorted out, he would instruct SLC to go for elections.

A month after the elections were postponed, the International Cricket Council (ICC) asked SLC to hold elec- tions within six months or face suspension. The ICC does not recognise political appointed committees, a decision they reached few year ago to free the game from political interference.

Until fresh elections are conducted and new office bearers are elected, SLC’s voting rights will remain suspended as they sit at ICC meetings as an observer to the ICC Board and Full Council.

“I am committed to hold election expeditiously, but there are certain issues I need to clear up before going for the election. We are also aware of the deadline given by the ICC and I can assure you we will go for polls before that” Minister said.