Sports Ministry probes National and LPL teams sponsored by Betting Agent

An investigation has been launched after the national team and Kandy Falcons of the Lanka Premier League wore an Indian betting agent’s logo blatantly on their jerseys, Secretary to the Ministry of Sports, Dr Amal Harsha De Silva said.

Fairplay news, a subsidiary of the Indian Betting company, Fairplay, had their logo on the jerseys of the national team during the Asia Cup assignment as well as Kandy Warriors (now Kandy Falcons).

However, these two teams, that too country’s richest sports body has been caught red-handed donning this.

Dr De Silva disclosed, the investigation was prompted after Arjuna Ranatunga, chairman of National Sports Council, had written a request to the minister of Sports, urging him to probe the clash of ethics.

“There are lots of allegations saying that there is a betting and gaming company (involved in the tournament). Normally, whenever an agreement is there with this type of thing, they should send the agreement to the minister of sports. If there are any doubts, we send it to the Attorney

General. None of these procedures have been followed”, De Silva explained.

“Of course we have not asked for an explanation from them so far, but since the chairman of the Sports Advisory Council (National Sports Council) has made a written request to the minister. we are starting investigations into the whole matter”.

However, the Secretary confirmed that no decision has been taken to suspend the tournament owing to the issues.

“That is a decision the minister will have to take in due course”, he said.