PRESS RELEASE – SLC Clarifies Misinformation Regarding Fund Transfers
The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) would like to issue a statement clarifying recent assertions made by the Minister of Sports in Parliament regarding the transfer of USD 2 million from its accounts.

SLC categorically denies any attempt to transfer funds from its accounts to third party accounts and wishes to address the matter to provide clarity to the public.

As the governing entity for cricket in Sri Lanka, SLC receives funds and sponsorship income in USD, which are intentionally kept in our USD accounts to leverage exchange rate fluctuations. However, it is important to note that SLC needs to carry out its operations in Sri Lanka and fulfill financial obligations to stakeholders, including suppliers, on a regular basis.

To meet these expenses, SLC follows the practice of transferring funds from its USD account to its local currency (LKR) accounts. This has been a longstanding practice, as SLC does not derive significant income in local currency. It is crucial to highlight that these transfers are solely for operational purposes and are not indicative of any attempt to transfer funds out of SLC’s accounts.

Thus, any claims stating that SLC is trying to transfer funds out of its accounts are false and factually incorrect. It is evident that such assertions have been made with ulterior motives, aiming to create unnecessary public unrest against SLC.

Additionally, we wish to state that SLC operates in accordance with the provisions of its constitution, which prohibits cash payments exceeding Rs. 10,000/-. Accordingly, and to clarify the misconceptions, we have taken steps to release a schedule to the Parliament and to the Ministry of pending payments, for which cheques have been issued to suppliers, stakeholders, and third parties who have provided services to SLC. The schedule covers the period from 17th August 2023 to 8th November 2023 and ensures that the necessary funds are available in our LKR account to fulfill these payments upon presentation to the bank.
SLC remains committed to transparency and upholding the integrity of its operations. We urge the public to disregard any misinformation and rely on authentic sources for accurate information. SLC will continue working diligently to support cricket development in Sri Lanka and maintain good governance.

1. State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe informs Parliament that the beneficial interest rates for the year 2022 provided for the Central Bank Staff EPF was 29.27%, the Private Sector Workers’ EPF was 9.00%, and the ETF was 8.75%.
   
2. Resilience indicator published by Washington-based Center for Global Development states Sri Lanka & Argentina remain very vulnerable amid a worsening in global financial conditions: Policy-makers in Argentina which is following an IMF programme since January 2022, have raised its Central Bank policy rate to 133%, and more than tripled its policy rate from 38% that prevailed in January’22.
   
3. NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake says his Party may have to reach out to individual MPs of other parties if the NPP is victorious in an election but unable to secure 113 seats: asserts it would have to do so if the election result indicates that voters have attempted to form an NPP Govt as opposed to relegating it to its traditional role of “the security guard of Parliament”.
   
4. Cabinet approves a proposal to initiate the establishment of an Economic Commission to replace & merge the Board of Investment & Export Development Board.
   
5. President Ranil Wickremesinghe declares the postal service as an “essential public service”, in the face of a threat by Postal employees to stage a strike prompted by the executive action of the Govt “taking-over” the Nuwara-Eliya Post Office for a different purpose.
   
6. Minister Bandula Gunawardene says he agrees with the President’s decision to implement a project at the site of the historic Nuwara Eliya Post Office: affirms that by relocating the Post Office to another location and using the area for a viable project ensures new income avenues to the people in the area, employment opportunities, & also boost tourism.
   
7. State Minister Anupa Pasqual says his Ministry is “actively crafting” fresh legislation to improve the rights & well-being of differently-abled individuals: emphasizes the Govt’s commitment to ensure such persons are no longer considered a dependent population and are not relegated to 2nd-class status.
   
8. Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe tells Parliament that the President’s security was breached when he went to watch the LPL finals as some “underworld figures” who happened to be body guards of SLC chief Shammi Silva were also there: asserts “the President should decide whether he wants Roshan Ranasinghe or ‘betting’ Shammi against such a backdrop”: calls for the passports of SLC officials to be impounded.
   
9. US announces a USD 553 mn project to build a “deep-water shipping container terminal in SL’s Port of Colombo” to compete with China in international development financing: Chinese Ambassador in SL Qi Zhenhong says Chinese enterprises are keen to invest in the North while the Chinese Embassy donates 5,000 boxes of dry rations worth Rs.37.5 mn to needy families in Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, & Mannar in 10 “donation ceremonies” held in District Secretariats, Buddhist temples, Hindu kovils, & Churches.
   
10. Popular Cricket Website reports that Umpire Richard Illingworth who officiated at the SL vs Bangladesh Cricket match had told SL batsman Angelo Mathews that he had 30 seconds left to be ready to face when he walked in to bat: Mathews is the first and only batter in international Cricket who had been given out, “timed-out”.

Colombo (LNW): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Indrika Ratwatte of Sri Lanka as the new Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

Ratwatte will also serve as the Humanitarian Coordinator.

He succeeds Ramiz Alakbarov of Azerbaijan, with recognition for the service of Daniel Endres as ad-interim Deputy Special Representative, Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator.

Ratwatte brings over 30 years of experience in humanitarian affairs and protection in complex and crisis settings, with a significant focus on Afghanistan and regional issues.

He has held various positions within the United Nations, including Director of UNHRC’s (Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees) Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific and UNHCR’s Representative in Pakistan.

Ratwatte holds a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Sociology from the University of Colombo, along with legal qualifications from Sri Lanka Law College.

Colombo (LNW): The CEO of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), Dr. Vijith Gunasekera, has been removed from his position.

Health Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta stated that the decision was made by the NMRA Board of Directors, and Dr. Gunasekera was subsequently summoned to the Health Ministry.

Allegations concerning the importation of substandard medicines to the country had been directed at the NMRA Chairman, CEO, and other officials.

Although the NMRA Chairman was recently replaced by Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, Dr. Gunasekera remained as the CEO and was accused of destroying sensitive documents, leading to a complaint filed with the Criminal Investigations Department.