by Mike Andree

The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka has ‘Charge Sheeted’ its Chief Executive Officer Dhammika Ranatunga, now on compulsory leave, alleging irregularities, mismanagement and / or misconduct during the period of June 11, 2000 (the date of the Annual General Meeting and Election of Office Bearers) to November 14, 2000.

Some of the allegations against him are:

* Acting in breach and in excess of Authority and violating secrecy by complaining directly to the Minister of Tourism and Sports and making false allegations against the Executive Committee to the Minister thereby discrediting the BCCSL and failing to inform the Executive Committee with regards to the queries made by the Minister and arbitary answering those queries without consulting the Executive Committee.

* Entering into contract with national team players without obtaining EXCO approval.

* Providing undue advertising mileage to a firm, dealing in motor vehicles, without any financial benefit to the BCCSL, thus overshadowing the main sponsor during the triangular series.

* Failure to satisfactorily explain to the Executive Committee matters pertaining to a contract with an advertising firm for Rs. 10 million and matters pertaining to a contract on Internet rights.

* Failure to secure favourable terms in entering into contract to supply mobile phones to the BCCSL, purchasing a Mobile phone under the pretext of an approval from the EXCO for the purchase of a Mobile charger and misuse of telephones.

* Failure to adopt proper tender to recover monies due to the BCCSL from international cricket authorities.

* Failure to adopt proper Tender procedures / calling for quotations and incurring loss of revenue to the Board in hiring tents and chairs, purchasing promotional items pertaining to the 100th test match, leasing hiring and purchasing vehicles for the BCCSL and ordering plaques for past players.

* Approving guarantee money, for tours, to respective Boards without obtaining EXCO approval.

Dhammika Ranatunga, when contacted, said he has not received any ‘Charge Sheet’.