Minister of Sports, Harin Fernando, announced his intentions to introduce amendments to the existing Sports Act, aiming to tackle prevalent issues within sports associations in Sri Lanka.
During an event hosted by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency, Minister Fernando highlighted sports associations as a significant challenge for the Sports Ministry, emphasizing the hindrance they pose in addressing players’ concerns.
Expressing his commitment to resolving cricket-related matters, he stated, “I have been entrusted to resolve this cricket issue.”
Furthermore, Minister Fernando referenced provisions within the Anti-Corruption Act that enable severe penalties for cricket-related corruption, mentioning the possibility of a 10-year imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs. 200 million for offenders.
Comparing governance structures, he cited Pakistan’s practice where the Prime Minister appoints the President of their cricket board, underscoring that such appointments fall within their sports law, making them beyond the jurisdiction of the ICC’s political interference claims.
In addition, Minister Fernando expressed optimism about the imminent lifting of the ban imposed on Sri Lanka Cricket by the ICC. He lamented the loss of hosting rights for the Under 19 World Cup, emphasizing the missed opportunity for further tourism industry development through the event.
