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| Wednesday, 18 February 2004 |
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by Sarath Malalasekera Former Sri Lanka Cricket Board Chief Executive Officer Dhammika Ranatunga giving evidence in the Thilanga Sumathipala case before the Colombo Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Sarojini Kusala Weerawardena yesterday said that the payment made to one Buddhika Priyashantha Godage alias Buddhika was not approved by the Cricket Board. Examined by Senior State Counsel Yasantha Kodagoda, Ranatunga said that when he (Ranatunga) inquired from the Chairman of the Cricket Board Thilanga Sumathipala about the payment to Buddhika Godage, he (Chairman) said that Godage was a friend of Sumathipala. Witness Ranatunga said that at present he is employed as a Internet Service Consultant abroad. Several documents including the Sri Lanka Cricket Board Constitution were produced in court and marked as productions for the prosecution case. The players selected to participate in the 1999 World Cup Cricket were selected by the members of the Cricket Board. On the invitation received by the England Cricket Board, Thilanga Sumathipala, the witness, two other members of the Cricket Board and an administrative officer also participated in the World Cup cricket in 1999. Ranatunga said that Marian Cooray was also attached to the Cricket Board. The Board approved payment to Cooray only for the Match Ticket. No other payment was approved for Cooray. Shown a letter addressed to the Hatton National Bank by the Cricket Board, Ranatunga said that the two signatures on the letter are of Thilanga Sumathipala and Lucian Merinage. The letter authorised the issue US $ 1500 to Buddhika Priyashantha Godage and that it be credited it to the Cricket Board Account. Payment to Buddhika Godage was not approved as Godage was not a member of the Board, the witness said, and added that he (witness) was allowed US Dollars 350 per day for 58 days, to stay in England, but he did not stay that long in England. Ranatunga said that Sumathipala requested him to issue a letter to Godage to obtain a visa to go to England as Godage was a cricket fan. The Witness said that when he refused to issued a letter to Godage, Sumathipala said that he will assign his secretary to issue a letter to obtain a visa for Godage. Ranatunga said that he met Sumathipala with former Sports Minister S.B. Dissanayake in London. Questioned at length about the Audit report of the 1999 Cricket Board, Ranatunga said that the 'Jinadasa Committee' was appointed to inquire into the audit report. At the Jindasa Committee discussed the payment made to Godage. He did not make any statement to the Committee about the payment to Godage, as Sumathipala mentioned that he (Sumathipala) would explain to the Committee queries raised by about the payment to Godage. The witness was unable to say on what reason that payment was made to Godage. Answering Court the witness said that he had not known any person by the name of Buddhika Godage. He never met any Godage In London. Cross examined by President's Counsel Gamini Marapana, Senior Counsel for Sumathipala, Ranatunga after perusing the Sri Lanka Cricket Board Constitution said that there was no provision to appoint a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Sri Lanka Telecom Chairman and Sri Lanka Cricket President Thilanga Sumathipala is charged under the Immigration and Emigration Act, for aiding and abetting an underworld gang leader Dhammika Perera alias Dhammika Amarasinghe to travel to England to witness the World Cup Cricket in 1999 on a forged passport. The offence had been committed between April 1, 1999 and June 15, 1999. Earlier, Sumathipala pleaded not guilty to the charges read out to him. Deputy Solicitor General Suhada Gamlath, Senior State Counsel Yasantha Kodagoda, Senior State Counsel Vijith Malalgoda, Senior State Counsel Priyantha Nawanna, State Counsel Rohan Jayasundera, Dulip Jayakody and Damith Perera appeared for the Attorney General with the CID. President's Counsel D.P. Kumarasinghe, Ananda Wijesekera, Rienzie Arasacularatne, Kolitha Dharmawardena, Lakshman Ranasinghe, Niroshana Perera, Harin Gomes, Sampath Soysa, Ranjan Sri Kantha, Channa Ranasinghe and Ajith Jayatunga appeared for Thilanga Sumathipala. The proceedings were adjourned until February 20. |
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