BCCSL Elections: All precautions were taken, says Dammika Ranatunga (4 April 1999)

4 April 1999

BCCSL Elections: All precautions were taken, says Dammika Ranatunga

The Daily News

Dammika Ranatunga - the Chief Executive of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka in a news release has said that all precautions were taken to ensure a peaceful and smooth AGM of the Cricket Board last Sunday at the Cricket Board Headquarters.

'In order to provide extra security, additional security personnel were recruited from a private security organisation. In addition to the three security personnel who are normally available at the Board, eleven more security personnel were recruited for this purpose", says Ranatunga.

The IGP, DIG Colombo Range, SSP Colombo South and OIC Cinnamon Gardens Police Station were informed by letter about an attempt to disrupt the Board AGM and therefore to provide adequate security against a possible attack.

Identity cards for all participants, i.e. separate identity cards for candidates, club representatives, media personnel, caterers, helpers and to the Board staff were issued.

"The allegations made by various interested parties that unauthorised persons were present within the Board premises during the meeting, is a total fabrication made with a view of discrediting the Board.

"Two search operations were conducted. The Police conducted one search operation at 8.30 am and the STF carried out another search operation at about 9.30 am. These operations were carried out with the aid of sniffer dogs and metal and explosive detectors. If such unauthorised persons were in fact present within the Board premises as alleged, no doubt, the Police and the STF personnel conducting the said search operations would have come across them.

"The individuals who were responsible for attacking me and attempting to disrupt the AGM of the BCCSL have now been identified with the aid of photographs and videotapes that are in our custody", says Dammika Ranatunga.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)