News
SJB defends Vaas and lambasts SLC top rung
Chief Operations Officer granted Rs. 1 mn salary hike
By Saman Indrajith
The main Opposition, SJB in Parliament yesterday found fault with Sri Lanka Cricket for having launched a vilification campaign against veteran cricketer Chaminda Vaas, and claiming that he had sought to hold ‘the game of cricket to ransom.’
SJB Kurunegala District MP Thushara Indunil said that it was very disheartening to see how the cricket officials had resorted to dirty tactics in a bid to tarnish the image of one of the best cricketers Sri Lanka had produced.
“Cricket is a brand in this country and Vaas was among those who uplifted the game to that level. We know that most officials in Sri Lanka are corrupt. During a recent COPE investigation the officials of Sri Lanka Cricket were dumbfounded and did not have responses to charges against them. We know that the Chief Operations Officer of Sri Lanka Cricket got a pay hike amounting to one million rupees and its Chief Executive Officer got a pay hike of between Rs 550,000 to Rs 600,000. Others working for the SLC do not get such benefits and cannot have their salaries increased in that manner. It is such officials who are now finding fault with Vaas and accuse him of demanding an additional payment of 3,500 US dollars. It is unfortunate to see the way officials treat our former players and tarnishing their names,” the MP said.
Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa said Vaas had decided to step down from his post of fast bowling coach hours before the team departed for the West Indies tour. “I personally regret that he made such a decision. Vaas was appointed to that position recently and after that he made a request for the increment. I have no criticism against that. Yet, the Board needs time to allocate funds and that has to be done by its Executive Committee. Following the dispute Vass tendered his resignation and the board has accepted it.”
MP Indunil said that the amount allocated for Vass was less than his predecessor, an Australian national by the name of David Saker, and asked why Sri Lanka Cricket could not pay Vaas at least that amount.
Minister Rajapaksa said that the amount had been decided as per the terms of the contract between Vaas and Sri Lanka Cricket. The contract still exists and there is a procedure to follow when asking for an increment,” the Minister said.
Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, officially visited the Russian House in Colombo to attend the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum, where members of the Sri Lanka Russia Business Council and graduates from the Association of Sri Lankan Graduates from Socialist countries (ASLGSC) attended.
This historic gathering was graced by rectors and representatives from several world-class Russian medical institutions, including Kursk State Medical University, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, and Tver State Medical University, among others.
The forum commenced with an address by Minister Murashko, during which Russian medical graduates in attendance raised pertinent questions regarding medical and pharmaceutical sector opportunities in Sri Lanka.
Levan Dzhagaryan, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, together with Madam Maria L. Popova, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka & the Maldives and Director of the Russian House in Colombo, graced the occasion. Both officials expressed strong support for continued collaboration and future initiatives between the two nations.
The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.
The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:
Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage
The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.
The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.
Three prison guards attached to the Welikada Prison have been arrested by Borella Police following the death of an inmate on Monday (04).
Minister of Health of the Russian Federation attends the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum
Members of Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Officially Appointed
Three prison guards arrested following the death of an inmate
Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm.
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