National People’s Power (NPP) Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake slammed Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga today over the latter’s statement claiming that the NPP had obtained money from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Shammi Silva.
Addressing Parliament today, MP Dissanayake refuted the allegations, stating that he has never encountered Shammi Silva and has only seen him on television.
Slamming Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, MP Dissanayake stated that Ranatunga cannot make any statements in this regard, as the judiciary itself has convicted him for having sought ransom.
MP Dissanayake further said the JVP has constantly advocated for the appointment of an interim committee for SLC several times and is of the view that the current SLC office bearers should be sacked.
The JVP leader also accused the nation’s cricket administration of being controlled by three families, namely the Sumathipalas, Ranatungas, and Dharmadasas, adding that recently the Wijeyadasas have joined in.
Stating that these families have over the years continuously fought for control over the SLC, MP Dissanayake said it has been observed in the past for some of these families to band together for the removal of one family from the SLC.
The MP also said that although they support an interim administration they would have preferred a former cricketer like Sidath Wettamuny to be part of it instead of some questionable appointments, including retired judges.
Commenting on the joint proposal against the SLC passed in Parliament yesterday, the JVP leader clarified that the party was not present as the motion had been passed as it was understood there would be no vote on the matter.
MP Dissanayake said it was understood that a common consensus had already been reached among all parties, including the NPP, to pass the proposal, hence, the NPP members saw no reason to be present when it was passed.
MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake called on Minister Prasanna Ranatunga to provide a clarification in Parliament on the allegations levelled against the NPP.
Meanwhile, responding to NPP leader, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said that the statement he made on JVP accepting money from Shammi Silva was made based on hearsay and he did not have any evidence to say it.
He also said that he has appealed against the court verdict given against him on the ransom case and it was wrong of the NPP leader to claim he was found guilty. (NewsWire)