SLC clarifies 'purported meeting' between de Mel and Cricket Committee

Over the last few days, wide media publicity has been given to a purported meeting that the Chairman of Selectors Asantha de Mel has supposedly had with the Cricket Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket.

Sri Lanka Cricket having discussed this matter with members of the Cricket Committee wishes to clarify that the Cricket Committee has at no stage had any meeting with the Chairman of selectors or the Selection Committee. The supposed 'meeting' which press reports refer to is in fact an informal discussion between the members of the Selection Committee and former national players currently involved in cricket administration. The discussions were informal and friendly and covered a wide range of issues, with a view to formulating and improving the selection policy for cricket in the country.

It is unfortunate that an informal and friendly discussion has been incorrectly reported in the press. Further, the topics of the supposed 'meeting' as reported in the Media are factually erroneous. Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to also deny press reports that it has appointed Mr. Madugalle to inquire into alleged financial misdemeanours. The various allegations raised in the press have at no stage even been discussed at any level within Sri Lanka Cricket. Denials of the press reports in this regard have already been issued by most of the gentlemen present at the discussion.

Sri Lanka Cricket deeply regrets the misleading media reports and also the consequent embarrassment that has been caused to those present at the discussion, especially those to whom specific statements have been attributed.