Interim Order issued preventing implementation of gazette issued by Sports Minister

The Court of Appeal yesterday (27) issued an Interim Order staying the implementation of the regulations in the Gazette Notification  issued by the Minister of Sports regarding the activities of sports associations including Sri Lanka Cricket.

A Court of Appeal two-judge-Bench comprising Justice (President) Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice M.A.R. Marikkar made this order pursuant to a writ petition filed by Sri Lanka Cricket and several other sports associations.

The Court of Appeal, which informed the respondents including the Ministry of Sports to file their objections on or before April 27, also ordered that the objections of the petitioners be submitted on the 12th of June.

It has been submitted through petitions that a series of new regulations have been gazetted by the Minister of Sports on December 14 regarding matters such as the official period of the sports associations, the holding of official elections, the period of holding office, and the age limit.

Lawyers including Romesh De Silva PC, who presented facts on behalf of the petitioners, stated that the regulations issued by the Minister of Sports are exceeding the authority of the Minister.

Udita Igalahewa PC, who appeared for the Minister of Sports, stated before the court that the Auditor General of Sri Lanka has also conducted an investigation and submitted a report on the alleged corruption in the Sri Lanka Cricket

He pointed out that the Auditor General has recommended that a criminal investigation be conducted into such suspicious activities.

Further hearing of the petitions was put off till June 22.