The controversy surrounding Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) deepens as MP Hesha Withanage presented documents in Parliament proving that the organization approved payments to suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon.
According to the documents, Tennakoon, who served as the Senior DIG of the Western Province, was appointed as the Security Advisor for Sri Lanka Cricket effective from August 16, 2021. His contract includes a monthly allowance of Rs. 150,000, 200 liters of fuel per month, a mobile phone allowance of Rs. 5,000, a laptop, a mobile phone, and medical insurance.
MP Withanage tabled the documents in response to recent statements by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board denying any payments or privileges given to Tennakoon. The Cricket Board claimed that it only engages security personnel to ensure safety at international tournaments and rejected any financial dealings with Tennakoon as “baseless and false.”
Criticizing the government’s lack of action, MP Withanage accused the current Sports Minister of supporting a corrupt group within SLC and threatened to pursue legal action.
He further alleged that the government has no intention of stopping the accused group from participating in the upcoming Sri Lanka Cricket elections scheduled for March 31.
“This denial by Sri Lanka Cricket is irrelevant. We have a copy of the report approved by the Executive Committee,” MP Withanage asserted, calling out the Cricket Board’s attempts to cover up the payments.
The scandal continues to raise questions about governance and transparency within Sri Lanka Cricket.
