The Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) of the Police has commenced investigations against seven individuals over financial fraud said to have taken place at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) since 2010.
The accused include former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage
Filing a fact report before Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris, the FCID informed Court that they had recorded statements from two officials including the financial head of the SLC, in this regard.
Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and JVP Parliamentarian Sunil Handunnetti had earlier lodged a complaint against former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, former SLC chairman Nishantha Ranatunga and former SLC interim committee members D.S. de Silva, Sujeewa Rajapaksha, Kalinga Indatissa, Asantha Chandana Seneviratne and Prabath Fonseka.
In his complaint, Hadunnetti said COPE had initiated an investigation in this regard and found several financial irregularities, which include the sale of tickets during the 20/20 Word Cup Cricket Tournament in 2012, paying salaries and allowances to the former Sports Minister’s private secretary and an allocation of Rs. 20 million to cricket clubs by the former SLC secretary.
Hadunnetti urged the police to investigate the reports that the former SLC Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga had engaged in 17 foreign tours while holding position of secretary of the SLC.
The Additional Magistrate directed the FCID to conduct further investigations into the matter and report to Court on September 26.
