News

Cabinet Sub Committee’s report on cricket handed to President

Published

4 months ago

January 1, 2024

editor

The report addressing issues in Sri Lanka’s cricket realm, prepared by the Cabinet Sub-Committee, was presented to President Ranil Wickremesinghe today (01). Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ali Sabri, PC, who chairs the committee, handed over the report.

Notably, this report was swiftly completed within a brief span of one and a half months following the establishment of the Cabinet Sub-Committee.

In accordance with the cabinet decision made on November 6th, the Cabinet Sub-Committee, chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ali Sabri, PC, included other members: Minister of Power and Energy Mr. Kanchana Wijesekera, Minister of Public Security Mr.Tiran Alles, and Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Mr. Manusha Nanayakkara.

President’s Secretary Mr. Saman Ekanayake, appointed the Additional Secretary to the President, Mrs. Loshini Peiris, as the Secretary/Convener of the committee. The committee promptly initiated an investigation into the current situation of Sri Lankan cricket by engaging with relevant parties.

Accordingly:

1. The composition and structure of the Sri Lanka Cricket and proposals for reforms
2. The framework for administering, coaching and overall well-being of cricket players at different levels including the national teams for men and women, the under 19 and under 17 age groups
3. Appropriate good governance and best practices that can be adopted to guarantee transparency, professionalism and accountability in the system benchmarking with well-functioning comparative system in test playing countries
4. Revamping the feeding structure of Sri Lanka Cricket namely schools, district, provincial and club level cricket embracing meritocracy, equality and equity

The committee has resolved to concentrate on the four identified areas.

To comprehensively analyse the root causes of the present crisis, a thorough examination will involve key stakeholders. These include the current Sports Minister, Mr. Harin Fernando, former Sports Ministers, State Ministers for Sports, Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Sri Lanka Cricket, coaches of the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team (Women’s/Men’s), umpires, cricket selecting committee, coaches of the under-19 cricket team, technical advisory committee, members of the current cricket team led by Vanidu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka umpires Association, Sri Lanka Bar Association, Audit and Accounting institutes, and the committee led by retired Supreme Court judge Mr. K.T. Chitrasiri, which has incorporated recommendations following an investigation of the opinions of the Auditor General, among others.

Attorneys-at-law Mr. Shamir Zavahir and Mr. Samhan Munzir have made invaluable contributions to the preparation of the report and research. Additionally, the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Presidential Secretariat played a crucial role in providing special support for this endeavour.

Upon accepting the report, President Ranil Wickremesinghe conveyed his commitment to implementing the recommendations outlined in the report. He also expressed his intention to present both this report and the draft of the new Sports Act to Parliament in the near future.

The President extended his appreciation to the Cabinet Sub-Committee for the prompt presentation of the report.

Assistant Secretary to the President, Mr. Samith Talakiriya, was also in attendance at this significant event.

(President’s Media Division)

News

Basil meets Indian High Commissioner

Published

13 hours ago

April 27, 2024

editor

Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa met Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha yesterday (27) and discussed.

The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka conveyed a X message regarding the meeting, highlighting discussions on matters of mutual interest, including the political situation.

This meeting between Basil and the Indian High Commissioner occurred after his departure from the position of National Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, adding a significant dimension to the encounter.

Before Basil met the Indian High Commissioner, President Ranil Wickremesinghe had also met earlier this week.

In a separate development, the Indian High Commissioner also held a meeting with Minister of Power and Energy, Mr. Kanchana Wijesekera.

The Indian High Commission issued a statement regarding this meeting as well, although specific details were not provided.

News

Sri Lanka allows German research vessel’s port call amidst diplomatic clarification

Published

13 hours ago

April 27, 2024

editor

Sri Lanka has allowed a German research vessel for replenishment in Colombo port for the second time following the clarification from the island nation’s Foreign Ministry after Chinese protest.

“It’s the same German research vessel came last month. It came around New Year time when it was returning and the ship was allowed,” a top Foreign Ministry official told Economy Next referring to Sri Lanka’s traditional New Year celebrated on April 14.

Another Foreign Ministry official confirmed the German research vessel’s Colombo port call.

The Foreign Ministry last month clarified a confusion related to ban on foreign research vessels.

It said Sri Lanka will allow offshore research ships for replenishment at the island nation ports despite the one-year ban on such vessels.

The clarification came after strong protest by China over Sri Lanka allowing the same German research vessel last month.

Chinese Embassy in Colombo raised strong protest against the move to allow a German research vessel early in March following the island nation’s authorities turned down a Beijing request for a research vessel in February.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government has temporarily halted foreign research ships after strong security concerns raised by neighbour India and the United States following the visit of two Chinese research vessels in 14 months.

When the ban was announced, the government failed to specifically reveal its stance on requests for replenishment or crew change for foreign research vessels.

Sri Lanka is in the process of introducing a SOP (Standard Operation Procedure) for handling foreign research vessels and to improve the capacity of relevant officials in handling foreign research ships.

Two Chinese research ships were allowed to dock in Sri Lanka ports within 14 months through November 2023 with one called for replenishment and the other for research.

Chinese research ship Shi Yan 6 arrived in Sri Lanka in October 2023 and docked in Colombo port, for what Beijing citing was for “geophysical scientific research” in collaboration with the island nation’s National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA).

In August 2022, Chinese navy vessel Yuan Wang 5 docked at Hambantota in southern Sri Lanka for replenishment.

Both drew strong Indian protests citing security concerns in the Indian Ocean.

India uses the Colombo port as its main transshipment hub and accounts for around 70 percent of the total transshipment volume of the port.

(economynext.com)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by economynext.com has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Complaint filed alleging assets being misused for President’s political activities

Published

1 day ago

April 26, 2024

editor

Today (26) the Socialist Youth Union (SYU) filed a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) calling for a probe into the alleged misuse of assets owned by the National Youth Services Council (NYSC) for the political activities of current President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The SYU submitted a formal complaint to the CIABOC today (26) afternoon.

The complaint is filed against Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports – Harin Fernando, Ministry Secretary – Dr. Kanapathipillai Mahesan, and Chairman of the NYSC – Pasindu Gunaratne.

Speaking before the media, Eranga Gunasekara, the national organizer of the SYU said, NYSC vehicles bearing the numbers NA 9099, NB 1389, NB 3384, NB 3383 had been misused for the UNP rally held in Kuliyapitiya on March 10.

He has also said a dance troupe of the NYSC, used for the rally, is yet to be paid.