All members of Appeal Advisory Committee tender resignations

All seven members of the Appeal Advisory Committee in the Ministry of Sports have tendered their resignations, giving three months notice. The committee chaired by Justice K.T. Chitrasiri includes eminent lawyers in Dinal Philips PC, Chandaka Jayasundara PC, Attorney-at-Law Dr. Arittha Wickremanayake, Attorney-at-Law Ms. Roshani Kobbekaduwa, former Sri Lanka cricketer Sidath Wettimuny and former champion sprinter Damayanthi Darsha.

Having fulfilled their duties for a period of one year, they have decided to leave office by the end of this year, giving sufficient time for the minister to select a new set of members to the committee. Explaining their reasons to vacate, the members say it is due to the expected increase in workloads of their professions.

The committee took office on September 30, 2020 on an invitation of the Minister of Sports Namal Rajapaksa and has been discharging their duties on an honourary capacity.

In addition to hearing 23 appeals during their tenure, the committee was instrumental in getting a new set of regulations promulgated to deal with the appellate procedure to determine the appeals.

Among the 23 appeals were, three filed by suspended cricketers, Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilake who wanted their suspension eased.