Political interference: ICC visits Sri Lanka

10 May 2023 08:39 pm - 30 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Deputy Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Imran Khwaja arrived in the island yesterday as part of a 'fact-finding mission' into allegations of political interference in the administration of Sri Lankan cricket.

Khwaja is part of a three-member committee that was appointed by the ICC in March to look into complaints made by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials to the sports’ world governing body against Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe.

“As part of his ‘Fact Finding Mission’ Khwaja held discussions with the President of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Mr. Shammi Silva, and the Executive Committee of the SLC. During discussions with the SLC, Mr. Khwaja inquired about issues faced by Sri Lanka Cricket owing to political interferences and the impact it has on administering the game,” a media release from SLC read.

The release added that SLC had informed the Minister on May 8 of the ICC Deputy Chairman’s intent to meet the Minister as part of this mission.

SLC and the Minister have been at loggerheads since last year, when the Asia Cup which was supposed to be held in Sri Lanka had been moved out of the country.

SLC claimed there were logistical concerns for broadcasters and sponsors, with the country in the middle of fuel and food shortages.

Members of Parliament and Advisors to the Minister alleged however that this was done so officials of SLC could travel overseas at the expense of the sports body.

Sri Lanka’s group stage exit from the T20 World Cup also led to an inquest by the Sports Minister, which led to allegations that SLC had spent lavishly to send its officials to Australia, although SLC countered that by saying the Minister’s approval for this had already been received.

SLC wrote to the ICC last December, making an official complaint against the Minister, alleging growing political interference, much to the displeasure of Ranasinghe.

Following an ICC meeting in March, the governing body appointed the three-member committee to investigate these allegations, which includes Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Nazmul Hassan.

(Shehan Daniel)

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Comments - 30

Ravindra Wednesday, 10 May 2023 09:14 PM

Sri Lanka cricket is full of corrupt officials, ICC officials should hold a proper investigation and find out who is fooling who

Ranjith Wednesday, 10 May 2023 09:20 PM

Why do you call him honourable minister when he is paid by the tax payers money. Volunteers perform honourable appointments.

Bin Habiba dala Wednesday, 10 May 2023 10:15 PM

In Sri Lanka, the game of cricket is intended for Buddhists only, very very difficult for the minorities to get selected for the national team although there are ace players. Please look in to that as well.

Jude Wednesday, 10 May 2023 11:08 PM

ICC the biggest crooks they allowed BCCI officials to ICC meetings when Indian board Lodha committee found these officials guilty of corruption. Moreover, they allowed bookieeman to be SLC bigwig where he's part of the family business indulge in Gambling, tell me what could Go wrong!!???

Randimal De Silva Wednesday, 10 May 2023 11:13 PM

Just like the topic "too many domestic teams, dilute the quality of SL Cricket", these visits, inquiries will also end up with no findings. Waste of time, money and energy.

Jude Wednesday, 10 May 2023 11:19 PM

ICC corrupted to the core!! In SL SLC office bearers ruined the game of cricket in SL.!! They knew government can't interfere, the corruption was rampant in SLC. The game of cricket suffered immensely. The standard of Lankan cricket declined rapidly in the last 2 decades.

Vero Hero Thursday, 11 May 2023 01:57 AM

Now that an ICC representative has arrived in Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Sports must explain to him the high level of corruption and mismanagement of SLC and how the standard of cricket and discipline of cricketers has deteriorated under the current SLC. How SLC has increased the number of First Division Clubs to 26 when these clubs do not deserve to be even in the 4th division and how SLC bribes voting members of First Division Clubs in order to get votes during elections. The Ministry of Sports also must explain that there is no political interference.

R. Man Thursday, 11 May 2023 06:26 AM

Somebody has to tell the ICC that the 'So-called Political Interference is a total lie put forward by the SLC to cover its corruption and maladministration which has led to the downfall of cricket in Sri Lanka.

Anura Nanayakkara Thursday, 11 May 2023 06:59 AM

International interference into Sri Lanka's affairs at all levels happening due to political influences against the government. Sri Lanka been politically poisoned due to greediness of various individuals to put their hands into the foreign exchange at Sri Lanka Cricket.

Anura Nanayakkara Thursday, 11 May 2023 06:59 AM

International interference into Sri Lanka's affairs at all levels happening due to political influences against the government. Sri Lanka been politically poisoned due to greediness of various individuals to put their hands into the foreign exchange at Sri Lanka Cricket.

Jude Thursday, 11 May 2023 07:17 AM

ONCE sports minister CB Ratnayaka said after Customs Department it's SLC most corrupted organization in SL, can't argue with that statement coz its the absolute truth, yeah!!

Srimani X Thursday, 11 May 2023 07:29 AM

While they are at it can we also ask them to investigate the RW and his puppet Gov which is interfering with the democratic rights of the people.

Jude Thursday, 11 May 2023 07:44 AM

Government have to intervene coz SLC office bearers conduct unprofessional and detrimental to the progress of the game of cricket in SL. This SLC officials action unacceptable by so many levels, coz SL standard of cricket declined rapidly in the last 2 decades due to SLC hiarachy, yeah!! Just to give you an idea SLC increasing number of first class clubs directly effected the standard of cricket in SL. The increase of clubs done purely to increase BOOKIEEMAN'S authority and strangle hold of SLC helm!!

Jude Thursday, 11 May 2023 07:49 AM

Sports act in SL should be amended to have an Committee Over looking all activities and operations of SLC The SLC should NOT handle any finances and only the Treasury allowed to handle all financial matters, yeah!!

Jude Thursday, 11 May 2023 07:51 AM

Most of the time ICC hiarachy consist of bunch of unscrupulous people, yeah!!

Jude Thursday, 11 May 2023 07:53 AM

Can't understand why ICC allowed bookieman in the helm of SLC when you know he's involved in Gambling and gambling business in SL!!

Jude Thursday, 11 May 2023 08:08 AM

ICC should allow special interim committee to run the game of cricket in SL. Same way ICC allow IPL to conduct the tournament without any hindrance as no schedule international ICC cricket Games!! Don't count Paks, as no paks players allowed to play in IPL. Remember, any elections in SL are manipulated and Rigged same goes to SLC office bearers elections. Mind you after 75 years later elections haven't brought any progress to SL and country went bankrupt!! Same fate will befall to SL cricket, yeah!!

PD Thursday, 11 May 2023 08:23 AM

Ministers President PM should have no involvement in Sri Lanka Cricket. It should be run as an independent organization with no government funding.

Jude Thursday, 11 May 2023 08:39 AM

ICC moved HQ to Dubai mainly because it's a tax heaven. Mostly, tax heavens create financial secrecy!! For World governing body of cricket, why secrecy!??? Coz ICC hiarachy consist of unscrupulous and crooked people!! ICC not responsible for anyone, no one can scrutinize ICC, this got to change!! Maybe Saudis can start New governing body of cricket just like LIV GOLF. AND Saudis are seriously wants to involve in the game of CRICKET.

S. Samarakoon Thursday, 11 May 2023 09:21 AM

Corruption of earlier Regime !! Bring back Ana Punchihewa and Sidath Wettimuni as President/Secretary to win back confidence. Also change the selection committee.

Nish Thursday, 11 May 2023 09:56 AM

Is this new? Agree that the SL cricket Board Constitution needs changing, but Ministers trying to control Cricket Board should stop. Right structure must be in place and it has to run as a business and for the improvements of the game. This is another issue which has been going on from the days SL got the Test status, AND still going. That's SL's typical way; things will never change only talks. Everything going downhill right from economy and all others. ICC should take a firm stand.

Dan Thursday, 11 May 2023 10:24 AM

ICC must propose to the government and SLC to have a board similar to Cricket Australia within a stipulated time frame. We don't have to invent the wheel. It's already there time tested. End of the story.

Ceylonese Thursday, 11 May 2023 10:40 AM

Committee should consists of students from Royal, S. Thomas, Joes, Peterites, Trinity, St.John's, St.Anthony's K.

Dave Thursday, 11 May 2023 10:55 AM

Hey ICC Read these comments from cricket lovers in Sri Lanka in addition to what SLC has to say! I have been living abroad for most of my life but I love Sri Lanka cricket ! Be impartial please. Better sort out the mess!

CEO/Sri Lankan Corrupt (SLC) Company Thursday, 11 May 2023 11:44 AM

ICC consists of Cricket Boards some of which are corrupt. Therefore ICC will never admit SLC is corrupt and inept. If ICC threatens that if so-called Political Interference continues, it will derecognize SLC, let them do that.

DW Thursday, 11 May 2023 12:53 PM

This is just a show to make it look like something is done to investigate the matter. Every authority is south Asian countries are corrupt.

passionate cricket fan Friday, 12 May 2023 07:38 AM

Cricket is no more a gentleman's game and money does all the talking. Since the advent of the Indian Premier League ( IPL) the game has gone down the drain and the game of cricket is fast losing it's lustre among ardent cricket loving public. It's now only a money making enterprise. As a result there is so much competition and as well as so much corrupton to get elected to the Sri Lanka Cricket Board. The cricket governing body itself is corrupt to the core and has completely lost it's identity to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) who now virtually administers and dictates the game. Before long the International Cricket Council (ICC) will be no more and the Indian Cricket Council (ICC) will be the world governing body for international cricket.

Mano Manoharan Saturday, 13 May 2023 12:24 AM

After winning the World Cup Sri Lanka Cricket had been ruined by too many political interferences which is why the cricket standard went down the drain.

Andrew Silva Saturday, 13 May 2023 06:50 AM

It is normal for Sri Lanka cricket to be infiltrated by politicians other wise it’s not Sri Lanka Cricket.

ANNECUNT Sunday, 14 May 2023 01:23 PM

WHAT DID MR NAMAL RAJAPAKSA DO TO CRICKET? WAIT TILL NAMAL BECOMES THE PRESIDENT OF SRI-LANKA

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Political interference: ICC visits Sri Lanka

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