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| Friday, 5 March 2004 |
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by Sarath Malalasekera Former Sri Lanka Cricket Board Chief Executive Officer Dhammika Ranatunga giving evidence in the Thilanga Sumathipala case before the Colombo Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Sarojini Kusala Weerawardena yesterday said that all payments to the members of the Cricket Board to go to London to witness the World Cricket Cup in 1999 were authorised by the Cricket Board. Cross examined by President's Counsel Gamini Marapana, Senior Counsel for Thilanga Simathipala, said that Sumithipala also participated in the 1999 World Cricket Cup and he too was entitled to a payment from the Cricket Board. Ranatunga said that he is employed as an Internet Service Consultant abroad. Several documents including the Sri Lanka Cricket Board Constitution were produced earlier in Court and marked as productions for the prosecution case. Ranatunga was unable to say whether Sumathipala obtained any money from the Cricket Board to go to London to witness the 1999 World Cricket Cup. Ranatunga said he had been the Chief Executive Officer of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board for the last five years. Cross examined at length about Rantaunga's stay in London witness said that his wife and three children also came to London to witness the World Cup. They came to London at his invitation, Ranatunga said. He also admitted that he obtained USD 150,000 and $19,500 from the Cricket Board to visit London for the World Cricket Cup. After returning from London, Ranatunga said that he submitted a report in connection with his expenditure during his stay in London to the Cricket Board and refunded the balance money to the Board. Money was not refunded within one week after he returned to the country, Ranatunga said. Ranatunga admitted that the 1999 Cricket Board election was challenged in Court and a Stay Order obtained. On a later date the Court refused to extend the Stay Order. Ranatunga was shown a news item which appeared in the 'Daily News' on February 3, 2000 by Interim Committee Chairman Rienzie Wijetilleke under the headline 'Competent people must handle the administration of the Cricket Board'. Questioned regarding the receipt that Ranatunga obtained after refunding the money to the Board the witness moved for a date to produce the receipt. According to the minutes of the Board on August 6, 1999 S. Skandakumar was the acting secretary. Judge; Is it relevant to the case. Mr. Marapana; Yes Madam, it is very relevant to the case. When Shown the Jinadasa Committee and Interim Committee reports Ranatunga admitted that those reports have criticised him and stated that the Interim Committee was dissatisfied with the Cricket Board CEO's work. Ranatunga was cross-examined further regarding a tender for the advertisements on the Grounds and in respect of the Cricket Board receiving Sri Lankan currency in place of US Dollars. Sri Lanka Telecom Chairman and Sri Lanka Cricket President Thilanga Sumathipala is charged under the Immigration and Emigration Act, for aiding and abetting an underworld gang leader Dhammika Perera alias Dhammika Amarasinghe to travel to England to witness World Cup Cricket in 1999 on a forged passport. The offence had been committed between April 1, 1999 and June 15, 1999. Earlier Sumathipala pleaded not guilty to the charges read out to him. Deputy Solicitor General Suhada Gamlath, Senior State Counsel Yasantha Kodagoda, Senior State Counsel Vijith Malalgoda, Senior State Counsel Priyantha Nawanna, State Counsel Rohan Jayasundera, Dulip Jayakody and Damith Perera appeared for the Attorney General with the CID. President's Counsel Gamini Marapana, Rienzie Arasacularatne PC, Kolitha Dharmawardena, Navin Marapana, Niroshana Perera, Harin Gomes, Sampath Soysa, Ranjan Sri kantha, Channa Ranasinghe and Ajith Jayatunga appeared for Thilanga Sumathipala. The proceedings were adjourned until March 10. |
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