• Stumped by AGs delay  

Ex-Minister of Sports Roshan Ranasinghe says that if he is able to gain political power, following the country’s next round of national elections, he will radically overhaul the sports set up here, with ultra emphasis on cleaning up the Augean stables in cricket.

The former Minister made this comment, when The Daily Morning Sports, sought his views on the perceived delay on the part of the Attorney General’s Department, to act on the recommendations put forth by the Auditor General.

The recommendations of the Auditor General have been linked to wanton spending of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) funds, by its hierarchy, to accompany their kith and kin, to witness the ICC T-20 World Cup in Australia in 2022.

Ranasinghe who was fired by the President, from the Cabinet late last year, in the wake of his now famous run-in with the SLC officials, said he had submitted the Auditor General’s recommendations to AG Sanjay Rajaratnam, in around August, 2023 for his prompt perusal and resultant action.

But, the outspoken Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP was at a loss to fathom the eight-month long delay, in implementing the recommendations against wrongdoers, by Rajaratnam’s officials.

He said the alleged delay in initiating action on the part of the AG’s Department, over the hot button issue, has led the public to make various warped conclusions.

He also did not rule out a possible political nexus between the Government and those helming the SLC, over the incident, either.

However, Ranasinghe vowed that if he is granted political power by the masses, at a future poll, he will stretch every sinew or nerve in his body, to cleanse the country’s overall sports set up for once and for all.

He further insisted that those who had committed acts of corruption or fraud be it in the sporting sphere or any other circle will be prosecuted to the sternest letter of the law, under his watch.

Ranasinghe has been involved in a running feud with SLC and its President Shammi Silva, ever since the national team’s embarrassing loss to India, at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and its subsequent exit from it.