Aspiring candidate for the presidency of Sri Lanka Cricket, Mohan de Silva, said he did not know what was happening or how and what caused the media to report yesterday that his nomination was rejected by what is being called an Appeals Committee to scrutinize nominations in the run-up to the election.
“As someone who has fulfilled the stipulated requirement to be eligible to contest the Presidency of Sri Lanka Cricket, I am both surprised and disappointed to read such a development at this late hour. I intend to investigate the situation thoroughly and shall not rest until my reputation and my position is cleared,” De Silva said in a statement yesterday.
De Silva according to analysts has been the most non-controversial of all contestants in the fray and his rejection without a public explanation has come as a shock to polls watches.
“While I have not been officially informed by the respective committee of this development, I felt it fit to inform the Media that after verifying the authenticity of the statement that I intend to act accordingly in a manner that demands my response.
“I also wish to state that I have never been found fault or accused of any wrongdoings either in the field of cricket or outside and hence I value the very reputation I have built through hard work. I intend to speak to the Media once again very shortly once a clearer picture emerges with regards to this development,” De Silva’s statement further added.
De Silva’s name has been rejected along with that of Ravin Wickremaratne with just under two weeks to go for the February 21 election of office-bearers.
Only last week Mohan de Silva threw a challenge to his rival Jayantha Dharmadasa to prove any charge against him (De Silva) saying he (Dharmadasa) was the one with skeletons in his cupboard.
Asked if he would take the matter to court, De Silva said: “Yes, definitely”.
Sri Lanka Cricket has already got into the bad books of the International Cricket Council for cancelling an election of office-bearers for Sri Lanka Cricket last May that Thilanga Sumathipala was poised to win for a second term.
De Silva submitted his nomination after Sumathipala withdrew.