By Kesara Abeywardena
Government MPs and Deputy Ministers have asked parliament to appoint a select committee to look into the activities of the Board of Control for Cricket with concern on whether funds of the Board have been misappropriated by any of its members.

A motion in this regard is listed in the parliament order paper with the signatures of 40 Deputy Ministers and MPs of the government side.

The motion wants a committee to look into the main allegations levelled against the BCCSL when it was dissolved by Minister of Sports Lakshman Kiriella a few months back which was welcomed by the opposition as well.

The motion says that it should be inquired whether the finances of the board have been mismanaged by the executive committee or by its members. In the case of the Dambulla Stadium project, the motion states, it has become a matter of public interest as to whether the tender procedure adopted by the board and by the tenders are in keeping with the accepted rules of procedure which also applies to the television and other rights. Whether the payments to be made or already made by Sony Entertainment Television to the Board have been correctly accounted.

It also wants to find out whether the composition of the Executive Committee of the Board is in accordance with its constitution and the law. Also whether the receipts and payments of the Board have been properly authenticated and recorded and that all relevant books of accounts have been maintained by the Boards and have been audited by the Auditor General.

The motion further wants investigate whether the recruitment of staff, payment of their salaries and perks, and adherence to the job description relating to appointments have been done in accordance with the organisational chart and other existing rules.