Diplomatic inning by Indian envoy

Colombo, Nov.30 (Daily Mirror) - In the wake of reports about Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and deposed Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe having talks with Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay on the Sri Lanka cricket crisis, an authoritative source said it is the legitimate duty of the Indian envoy to respond to calls for meetings with political leaders.

Asserting that Mr. Baglay, as an Indian diplomat heading the mission, keeps contact with the political leaders, the source said he would respond positively to anyone from political parties seeking to engage with him.

India was first dragged into Sri Lanka’s cricket crisis after former Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga charged that Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Jay Shah was “running” and “ruining” Sri Lanka Cricket.

However, President Ranil Wickremesinghe called Mr. Shah and expressed regret over the remarks.

“No, Jay Shah doesn’t run Sri Lankan cricket. They think that Jay Shah is supporting the Cricket Board. But I spoke to Jay Shah and felt sorry that his name had been dragged in and apologized,” he said in an interview with the Indian media.