Former Sri Lanka batsman Roshan Mahanama and spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan have declined an invitation to act as consultants to cricket’s apex governing body Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

“I am of the view that it is an insincere, cunning move, more to use us when the Cricket administration is in such a deplorable state,” Muttiah Muralitharan had said when declining the offer.

“Absolute honesty, transparency, and strict adherence to accepted norms and practices in all dealings connected with SLC are paramount importance,” Mahanama said, in explaining that burning issues at the SLC need to be resolved before the formation of a committee.

The two premier former cricketers rejection of the Sports Minister’s offer to consult at the SLC come on the heels of former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayewardene’s refusal to come on board as a consultant.

“I have spent 1 year in the cricket committee and 6 months in the special advisory committee and no recommendations were implemented,” the former cricketer said, adding that he “did not trust the system” and didn’t want his time wasted.

Sri Lanka Cricket has been plagued with controversy even as it seeks to elect a president for a new term. Former president Thilanga Sumathipala  - who is seeking reelection – is closely linked to gambling entities and politicians have challenged his presidency.

Sri Lanka was also the focus of a sting conducted by Al Jazeera that revealed ‘pitch fixing’ conducted by local grounds managers in Galle to enable a match-fixing ring with international links.