Sacked Sri Lankan cricket officials who have been accused of corruption, financial misdeeds and nepotism are reported to be making attempts to flee the country fearing imminent arrest.
Apart from Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Mohan de Silva who submitted his resignation and quit, its most wanted president Shammi Silva and two heavyweight vice presidents went into hiding amid mass protests.
Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe warned there will not be any hiding places for cricket officials wanted for the ruination of the sport’s affairs.
“People who have robbed and plundered will be brought before the law and made to answer for the downfall of cricket in the country.
“I have appointed the best people to replace these rogues in an Interim Committee and they will prepare a dossier on corruption and mismanagement that took place in cricket administration,” said Minister Ranasinghe.
He said the three retired Supreme Court judges in the Interim Committee have been tasked with investigating corruption and malpractices while its chairman Arjuna Ranatunga will set up a cricket Committee that will have former Sri Lanka players to advice him on moving forward.
Ranatunga expressed optimism that he could turn things around within six months to prepare a team for the T20 World Cup in 2024.
“We have some 80 past cricketers living overseas who told me they are willing to return and help out in the restoration of cricket”, said ,Ranatunga who also declared the role of foreign coaches will be looked into.
“We have our own experts and we don’t need foreign coaches”, said Ranatunga.
