The Hon. Hesha Withanage Ankumbura Arachchi

¶ 01 Thank you, Madam Presiding Member, for a brief time to speak in this debate. I saw many incorrect reports in the press today regarding my speech in Parliament the other day about Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Let me be clear: none of my statements are out of animosity towards SLC or its officials. I speak to provide information to assist the Hon. Minister to set the institution right.

¶ 02 I said that payments were to be made from SLC to Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon. Yesterday, it was stated to the media that no such payments were made or decided. I have spoken many times here about fraud and corruption at SLC and tabled documents. Since they now deny it, I intend to table the Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting held on 30 July 2021 at Nawaloka Hospital chaired by the present Vice President.

¶ 03 Those Minutes state:

¶ 04 “Advisor to the Security Consultant

¶ 05 The Executive Committee decided to appoint Deshabandu Tennakoon, Senior Deputy Inspector-General in Sri Lanka, in charge of the Western Province, to the position of Advisor to the Security Consultant of SLC on the below terms and conditions:

¶ 06 - 2-year contract (Consultant Category – to be renewable) with effect from 16/08/2021 - Allowance of Rs. 150,000/- per month - Fuel Allowance – 200L per month - Mobile Allowance – Rs. 5,000/- per month - Laptop/Mobile phone - Medical Insurance”

¶ 07 I table those ExCo Minutes.

¶ 08 This will be newsworthy, as the public have been misled by lies while SLC attempts to move forward as if nothing is wrong. It is now clear there is no plan by the current Government to halt the SLC elections scheduled for 31 March, despite the credible allegations against one group. The Minister’s statements make that evident. Therefore, we say to the people who love cricket: we cannot expect justice from this Government. The Minister of Sports is directly connected to that same corrupt clique. Hence, we will go before the courts to secure justice for the public. Whether the money and resources were actually given to Mr. Deshabandu Tennakoon is secondary — the ExCo-approved record exists, and I have tabled it.

¶ 09 We have previously exposed how actresses were taken to party during the World Cup. We showed how, using SLC’s official seal and letterhead, visas and cover stories were arranged to migrate to Australia, exploiting innocent people for money. If there is an attempt to silence us from exposing such fraud and corruption, we will not allow it. Let those pushing YouTube narratives say what they want — we do not care. If there were facts to counter us, we would not speak so openly.

¶ 10 If SLC is truly advancing cricket, we will support those progressive proposals. But instead, when we reveal these matters, they panic and file cases. SLC has filed multiple cases paying large sums. We are not afraid; we will present facts to court and seek justice.

¶ 11 I also regret that when I spoke in the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Sports, it was Opposition MPs who rose to answer me, reading the same prepared text. Many former MPs once listed under Shammi Silva’s slate did the same; the people have since dealt with them. I suspect even now some have received benefits. At least, use your heads and do not read word-for-word the same script.

¶ 12 Do not think you can do anything with SLC’s money. The people are stronger. The people who broke Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s power and changed the Government can also change SLC under Shammi Silva.

¶ 13 Lastly, I did not say this then: a former Sports Minister had a bed in his official room and enjoyed luxuries there. Why does a Sports Minister need a bed in the official room? I do not know whether the current Minister has removed it. From Minister down to officials, many are nourished by this corrupt network. I respected the current Minister, thinking he would stand apart, but his statements and conduct show no action. We will secure justice through court. Publishing lies in newspapers to save SLC will not work; we speak with documents that I have tabled for all to see.

¶ 14 How did Mr. Deshabandu, as a public servant, draw pay from SLC? There is prima facie criminality, and sufficient evidence exists. We trust the IGP will take the necessary steps.

¶ 15 Thank you.