Friday, the International Cricket Council, ICC, suspends Sri Lanka Cricket’s membership in the ICC. The organization stated in a statement that its board convened and concluded that Sri Lanka Cricket has significantly violated its responsibilities as a member.
The ICC suspends Sri Lanka’s cricket board for ‘breach of commitments’
“In particular, the requirement to manage its affairs autonomously and ensure that there is no government interference in the governance, regulation and administration of cricket in Sri Lanka,” according to the statement.
The ICC Board will determine the terms of the suspension in due course, the statement continued. A court reinstated the Sri Lankan cricket authority on Tuesday, one day after the sports minister dismissed it for a dismal performance during the ICC World Cup 2023.
In anticipation of a complete hearing, the nation’s Court of Appeal reversed the minister’s ruling and reinstated the expelled officials. The court approved a petition submitted by board president Shammi Silva, which contested the action taken by Minister Roshan Ranasinghe on Monday to dissolve the Sri Lanka Cricket Board and establish a provisional committee.
“The board will be reinstated for a period of two weeks, after which the court will remand the case,” stated a court official.
Silva was scheduled to return to work, according to board officials, after obtaining an order that halted the operation of the interim committee, which was led by former captain Arjuna Ranatunga. The government has also appointed a cabinet committee to examine “outstanding issues” of the board.
The minister’s action following India’s 302-run victory over Sri Lanka. The losing team was limited to 55 runs scored in 19.4 runs. Since months ago, Ranasinghe and Sri Lanka Cricket, the most affluent sports organization on the financially troubled island, have been embroiled in a dispute over allegations of pervasive corruption.
Upon assuming leadership on Monday, the nation’s 1996 World Cup champion captain Ranatunga had pledged to clean up the finances and restructure the national team. On Monday, Ranatunga stated, “Sri Lanka Cricket had acquired the reputation of the most corrupt institution in the nation.”
