Jay Shah doesn’t run Sri Lankan cricket: President

23 November 2023 12:09 pm - 29 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, Nov 23 (Firstpost) - President Ranil Wickremesinghe in an exclusive conversation with Firstpost‘s Palki Sharma said BCCI secretary Jay Shah does not run Sri Lankan cricket.

Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga’s comments on BCCI secretary Jay Shah “running” Sri Lankan cricket has caused a major storm across the cricketing world, especially in cricket-mad India which happens to be a superpower of the sport.

The comments have caused an uproar to the point that Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe himself offered an apology.

The President told Firstpost that he has since had a conversation with Shah on the matter.

“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 apologised.

“He said, ‘My position is, whoever is the legal body, I will back then. If this lot is the legal body I will back them. If the other lot is the legal body, I will back them. If there’s a third group that’s the legal body, I will back them. That’s not decided by me, that’s decided by ICC,” Wickremesinghe said.

Ranatunga had made the comments a day after the ICC’s suspension of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the richest sporting body in the crisis-stricken island nation, due to political interference.

Reacting to the ICC’s decision, President Wickramasinghe added he knew the country’s board was going to get suspended.

“The opposition has said that the Board of Control has written to the ICC and has said to suspend Sri Lanka. The leader of the opposition gave me a set of letters, I haven’t looked at it. But ICC was anyway going to suspend Sri Lanka, I knew that.

“We were trying to save the U-19 matches, we were going to have tourism, but that didn’t work out so we lost on all that. I am waiting to see the outcome or the decision of the courts regarding the interim committee. Once that is done, we’ll have to start talking with the ICC to ensure that Sri Lanka can host matches again.

“As far as the cricket board is concerned, there is a committee of ministers that are going to it, which will recommend legislation. They’ve spoken to the board members as well as to the interim committee members, but I want to bring legislation which will take away the power of the minister to intervene and interfere in politics,” Wickramasinghe added.

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Comments - 29

Voter Thursday, 23 November 2023 12:46 PM

President has become a mouthpiece to defend corrupt….he’s defending Rajapakses and now defending rotten cricket board….wonder of Asia….

Lakmal Kahawela Thursday, 23 November 2023 01:08 PM

Very true comment

Hard Truth Thursday, 23 November 2023 12:59 PM

Just officially handover SLC management to BCCI Period!. SL people have more other problems to focus.

Gajan Thursday, 23 November 2023 01:22 PM

Today here in London, all the major papers are reporting “ America Warns India “. But back home in Sri Lanka even the President does not know about this news . He is still worshiping India .

Dinruta Thursday, 23 November 2023 01:35 PM

If any youngster doesn’t know what it’s like to act as a “Bull in a China Shop” look no further. Think of Roshan Ranasinghe.

Nihal s Thursday, 23 November 2023 01:41 PM

You must apologize the people of Sri Lanka for allowing the corrupted cricket board to run this people sport, not Jay Shah. Arjuna is right in his comment.

Ram Thursday, 23 November 2023 02:20 PM

President is pro SLC board that is headed by Shammi as President's friend Rekawa is involved in many areas of SLC. It was alleged that Rekawa played with his bat to get the injunction. Can write more but will stop here

ROSH Thursday, 23 November 2023 03:17 PM

Unelected master debating president is expert on all sports including mile high club on emergency landing

Nimal Thursday, 23 November 2023 03:21 PM

Why do a Country President apologies another country's sports administration chief? Where is the protocol? Why could not our Ambassador do that? This is because Jay Shah control SLanka cricket and he allows the corrupt to run our cricket board for their benefit. Arjuna is correct.

Uzman Thursday, 23 November 2023 03:36 PM

Most funniest thing is our president become spokesperson for J Shah

N V Jen Thursday, 23 November 2023 04:06 PM

Ranil wants to bring legislation to prevent sports minister from interfering, but doesn't care a damn about the level of corruption in SLC board. Shooting the messenger policy is going to cost him again, similar to the rout at the 2020 general elections.

Ranil the shame of Sri-Lanka Thursday, 23 November 2023 05:34 PM

How about doing something about recovering stolen money without taking about irrelevant rubbish? Are you the president or a gossipy school girl?

Anu Liyanage Thursday, 23 November 2023 07:13 PM

When the Auditor General Exposes corruption Country's President ignores it and seems backing the corrupt.

Sambo Thursday, 23 November 2023 07:49 PM

Of course he is the one solely responsible for Sri Lanka cricket by pocking his finger and influencing to people. Please keep your hands off. Keep your hands off Sri Lanka.

Sambo Thursday, 23 November 2023 08:22 PM

How does the president know about this.

Buddhist Thursday, 23 November 2023 09:46 PM

Jay operates through the Chairman of the SL Cricket to run SL Cricket.

Quintus George Friday, 24 November 2023 12:21 AM

Hai Jay Shah You go ahead da Don't worry da Green light given da Officially take over SLC da Play the gamble da Sports ministry frustrated da

Seyed Friday, 24 November 2023 12:27 AM

Then why did you spoken to Jai Shah About ICC ban

Tissa Fernando Friday, 24 November 2023 12:51 AM

Ranil is Shammi's spokesman and his savior.

A saddened crickt lover Friday, 24 November 2023 04:43 AM

Jay Shah controls BCCI which controls ICC and ICC controls SLC. Ranil Rajapaksa and Betting Shammi worship Jay Shah.

Punchi Friday, 24 November 2023 06:43 AM

Jay Shah doesn’t run our Cricket just like the IMF doesn’t dictate how we should run our economy

amith Friday, 24 November 2023 07:38 AM

RW knows the importance of india. People who keep celebrating west and china, must know that they do not come forward when there is a need. It's India always who helps SL. RW is a clever politician and doing his best for SL.

Tupac Friday, 24 November 2023 07:58 AM

Jay s runs Srilanka lol

VJ Friday, 24 November 2023 10:14 AM

All of us sometimes have to apologize to our neighbors on behalf of our children. This is social responsibility. Similarly the president has command responsibilities. An apology to prevent further damage to bilateral relations.

Jude Friday, 24 November 2023 10:29 AM

ICC went full blown corrupted organization soon after the Indians in the helm of ICC.

Jude Friday, 24 November 2023 10:34 AM

ICC became a Respectable Brothel soon after indians became part of the hierarchy, yeah.

Jude Friday, 24 November 2023 10:47 AM

ICC moved Headquarters to Dubai to indulge in unscrupulous activities!! ICC allowed a man in SLC who's part of the family business that indulging in Betting and Gambling. ICC allowed a official to attend ICC meetings when that person is banned in his own country for Corruption as an member of the cricket board. SA, Pakistan and Afghanistan running with an Interim cricket committees however when SL appointed a Interim cricket committee to curb the corruption then ICC impose a suspension on SL. What kind of hypocrisy is this!???

Saddened Sri Lankan Friday, 24 November 2023 10:53 AM

Ranil always takes the side of criminals and the corrupt. During Yahapalana Government, as Prime Minister he took the side of Great Bank Robbers. As Prime Minister did not take any action catch Rajapaksas who were behind Easter Attack. As the President he does not take any action against Rajapaksas when Supreme Court has declared Rajapaksas are responsible for economic crisis. Now he takes the side of corrupt SLC Executives when the Auditor General has reported about corrupt and improper action by SLC Executives.

Mohamed Adham Friday, 24 November 2023 11:22 AM

Ranil always supports his FRIENDS, immaterial of whether that "friend " is a crook or not. This is very well known.

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Jay Shah doesn’t run Sri Lankan cricket: President

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