Even the day to day administration of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is on the verge of total breakdown as internal issues reached the boiling point yesterday when SLC Chief ExecutiveAshley de Silva made his first attempt to crack the whip with what he claimed to be the powers given to him by the SLC exco, but SLC Assistant Secretary Hirantha Perera immediately wrote back, urging the CEO to hold back any drastic action.

“This is to inform you that the undersigned was vested with full authority over the Staff of Sri Lanka Cricket with immediate effect which was a collective decision taken at the Executive Committee Meeting held on 1st September 2014,” de Silva informed the SLC staff.

However, Perera cautioned de Silva not to exceed the limits of powers he had while several top employees told “Daily Mirror” that they would seek immediate legal redress against what one employee termed as CEO’s new “bull in a China shop attitude”.

“The Executive Committee has approved to send a circular to all employees of SLC to ensure at all times that the employees of Sri Lanka Cricket do not hold the position of an office bearer or a member of a committee of any member club or association. The Exco also decided to inform all employees/coaches that no one should conduct any private coaching or Coaching academy or classes as it is a conflict of interest and against the objectives and vision of SLC. Therefore as directed by EXCO one month notice is hereby given to comply with the EXCO decision,” de Silva stated in his email to employees yesterday.

However, Perera, to whom the mail had copied along with all other exco members, wrote back and pointed out that exco has no power to take such a decision which is not in the constitution. Perera went on to add that there was no decision anyway by exco at all on coaching academies or classes.

“I'm surprised to note that you have mentioned that Exco made a decision with regard to staff conducting classes/academies etc. where as Exco never discussed any of those issues at the meeting,” Perera stated.

Perera added that though employees being office bearers of SLC’s member clubs or associations was discussed, SLC constitution did not make any restrictions for employees and pointed out that the said clause was valid only for CEO according to the constitution. “The President's proposal has referred to clause no.13(d) (iv) of the constitution and you should check the contents of that clause before you could inform staff as it is solely under your duties and not anything to do with staff”.

“However, I have informed President and the Exco to refer to clause no.33 of SLC constitution wherein it clearly states that "The constitution of the Board shall not be altered, added to or amended except at an EGM and needs two thirds (2/3) majority to do so.” “Hence you are advised not to act on this till you receive certified minutes after ratification at the next Exco,” Perera cautioned the CEO. Earlier in his mail, Perera reminded the CEO of his position and duties.

“As such it was decided to allow only the explicit duties and functions set by the constitution for the CEO to be handed over to you and at no point did the Exco agreed to expand the boundaries of the Constitution or give you command to do so as we have no authority to take away the rights and duties of the Elected members at any time,” he wrote.

Earlier de Silva wrote; “In order to formulate systems and methods of the organization and with the view to achieve our objectives, you are only to report to the undersigned through your superiors there by following the right protocol regarding all official affairs and matters in your respective areas of responsibility and also ensure strict compliance to this effect at all times thereby only taking directives/ instructions from your superiors regarding your assigned duties.

Further, you are not to share any information of sensitive or secretive nature with any other individual or party of authority without proper approval from the undersigned hereafter.”

The circular effectively stops any employee interacting with SLC office bearers or exco members directly. The present crisis situation affecting SLC employees is the result of a political dogfight between two factions of powerful SLC officials attempting take control of the institution, while an irate employee told “Daily Mirror” yesterday that they were fed up with the pressure being applied on them by both parties.

“We are sandwiched in the middle and aren’t allowed to do our jobs. I don’t know how the CEO can impose new conditions which are not in our employment contracts nor are in the SLC constitution. We have already decided to take legal advice on the current developments as they certainly affect our rights,” said one employee.

De Silva’s circular is seen by employees as a direct attempt at curtailing the work of effectively the second-in-command of the SLC cadre Carlton Bernardus, the Head of Cricket Operations. Bernardus is an office bearer of Colts CC where SLC Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga holds the position of President. Bernardus who is also one of the highest qualified cricket coaches of the country is also conducting a weekend cricket class at SSC for kids.

Among employees who would also be affected is Major Shanaka Ratnayake who is in SLC employment as the Manager of the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota while holding the office of Secretary at Southern Province Cricket Assocaition. Manager – Clubs/ Associations/Districts and Provinces Sidath Fernando, R. Premadasa Stadium Manager Godfrey Dabrera, Manager-Events Travis Fernando, Transport officer Jagath Jayasundera and District Coach Praneeth Peiris are among other prominent employees who would be affected.

Source: Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka