Cricket’s great betrayal colonial style
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is facing accusations of committing a historic act of betrayal, reminiscent of pre-independence Sri Lanka, as the country loses the opportunity to host the highly anticipated Youth World Cup. The decision to move the event to South Africa has left millions of schoolboys disappointed and 15 promising young cricketers unable to showcase their talent on home soil.
The act has been labeled a betrayal by legal experts, who compare it to colonial times. Nearly two million schoolboys were eagerly looking forward to witnessing the event in their own country, while fifteen of Sri Lanka’s most talented young cricketers were preparing to compete in the Under-19 World Cup, which was scheduled to take place in less than two months.
Sri Lanka Cricket denies any wrongdoing in the matter. However, the organization has come under fire for allegedly prioritizing personal gains and power over the interests of the sport and the nation. The event was shifted to South Africa, a country that has moved past its dark days of apartheid.
SLC’s acting secretary, Chrishantha Kapuwatte, expressed sadness and pledged to support the young cricketers. We put plans in place and gave hopes to their families. We will help these children not get discouraged by what happened, Kapuwatte said. However, his remarks have been met with skepticism, given recent revelations about the organization’s disdain for accountability.
In a shocking letter sent to the International Cricket Council (ICC), SLC’s head, Shammi Silva, officially declared that the organization is a private entity, not answerable to the country or its people. This revelation has further fueled public outrage and raised concerns about corruption within Sri Lanka Cricket.
Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe has vowed to lead the fight against corruption in cricket and has tabled the leaked letters in Parliament. Ranasinghe is determined to leave no stone unturned in his pursuit of justice. Professor of Law and justice advocate Prathibha Mahanamahewa criticized the cricket officials for defying Parliament and betraying the country, drawing parallels with colonial-era treachery.
Mahanamahewa stated, Treachery is nothing new to Sri Lanka; it has happened in the past. SLC committed a foul deed that led to a ban on Sri Lanka. The ICC should have consulted the Sports Minister and upheld the principles of natural justice. The statements highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability within cricket administration.
President Ranil Wickremasinghe has requested the letters to assess the situation and take appropriate action. The public is eagerly watching for decisive measures to address the allegations and restore trust in Sri Lanka Cricket.
As the nation grapples with this betrayal, the focus remains on the promising cricketers who were preparing for the Under-19 World Cup. The hopes and dreams of these young athletes have been shattered due to the actions of cricket administrators. It is crucial that steps are taken to ensure they are not discouraged by this setback and provided with the support they need to continue pursuing their cricketing ambitions.
The betrayal faced by Sri Lanka Cricket serves as a wake-up call to the broader issues of corruption and transparency in sports administration. It is imperative that decisive action is taken to restore integrity to the game and ensure that the interests of the players and the nation are upheld above all else. The upcoming months will be critical in determining the future direction of Sri Lanka Cricket and its reputation within the global sporting community.
