"ICC and SLC have not confronted me regarding any misconduct" - Thilanga Sumathipala

Colombo (News 1st) Former President of Sri Lanka Cricket, Thilanga Sumathipala reacted to certain statements made by Minister of Sports, Harin Fernando. Harin Fernando made a statement last Thursday (August 15) that a new act will be introduced where those involved in gambling will not be allowed to hold positions in the sports body. Former President of SLC Thilanga Sumathipala stated that the gazette is not relevant to him and that he is yet to see it. He emphasized that in the SLC, the senior management has a set of code of ethics to be followed. He further indicated that he saw it in some newspaper and the ICC is yet to inform him of any misconduct with regard to holding any position in the SLC. "I have not been intervened by the SLC with regard to any misconduct in following the code of ethics under the SLC either. However, if the minister is introducing such laws to the sports body, I think it's good", he continued. Although the former president of the SLC Thilanga Sumathipala made such a statement, according to a notice issued by the International Cricket Council, there are certain clauses under the code of ethics to be followed by those governing the sports body. Thereby for all those holding positions in the bodies of their respective sports that are falling under the ICC, there is a set of code of ethics which needs to be followed. It further notes that these code of ethics are followed to ensure a level of discipline in international cricket. ICC's Senior Legal Consultant Sally Clark has signed this notice and it implements on all officials who are under ICC's cricket bodies. The expectation to be followed is mentioned as follows in a notice issued by the ICC today: 2.6.1 An Official may not have a business association (whether direct or indirect) or enter into any business arrangement (whether formal or informal) with any Betting Organisation that involves the payment of any monies to or by, or the conferring of any benefit(s) or advantage(s) upon or by, the Official, either directly or indirectly, as a result of such association or arrangement unless such association or arrangement is disclosed to, and recorded and approved by, the Ethics Officer. 2.6.2 It is not permitted, and an official shall be in breach of this code. If any member of the official’s immediate family (being a spouse, parent, sibling, son or daughter, or son or daughter-in-law) has a controlling interest in a Betting Organisation, a substantial relationship with a Betting Organisation, or is employed in the day-to-day operational control of a Betting Organisation. Minister of Sports, Harin Fernando stated that a new law is to be introduced to the SLC where anyone involved with gambling cannot hold positions in the sports body. He noted that they have inquired from the ICC whether he (Thilanga Sumathipala) could hold such a position. "Based on the answer they gave, he cannot hold any position in the ICC", he continued. 'The amendment, which the minister is preparing to issue, will ban the holding of positions in cricket by persons directly or indirectly involved in betting.   https://youtu.be/1o_8KuLgODc