Sports minister-led emergency meeting to be held at 10 a.m. today

11 November 2023 12:20 am - 24 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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ICC suspends Sri Lanka Cricket over political meddling

(Daily Mirror) - The International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended Sri Lanka's crisis-ridden cricket board yesterday, saying it had failed to ensure there was no government interference in its affairs.

The game's world governing body said Sri Lanka Cricket was "in serious breach of its obligations as a member, in particular, the requirement to manage its affairs autonomously and to ensure that there is no government interference."

The suspension came a day after Sri Lanka's parliament asked the board to resign over allegations made by sports minister Roshan Ranasinghe that it had syphoned off millions of dollars.

The conditions of the suspension will be decided by the ICC board later, as it said in a brief statement. It was not immediately clear if the indefinite suspension would affect Sri Lanka hosting the Under-19 World Cup in January.

There was no immediate comment from the board, but an official source said an emergency meeting of the executive committee had been scheduled today.

"They will try to work out the way forward," the source said, asking not to be named. "The main concern is the upcoming 50-over Under-19 World Cup. Loss of hosting rights will be disastrous."

Sri Lanka was preparing to host the 16-nation Under-19 World Cup, and the board had released large sums of money to refurbish four venues in the capital, Colombo.

The crisis involving the cricket board -- the richest sporting organisation in the bankrupt island country -- came to a head after Sri Lanka's humiliating World Cup defeat by India last week.

The Sri Lankan parliament unanimously asked Sri Lanka Cricket's elected board members to resign on Thursday, accusing them of unprecedented corruption. The board has not yet responded to the parliament's non-binding resolution.

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa said Thursday's move was a "historic resolution that sends a message to the world that Sri Lankan legislators have united to defend cricket and restore the integrity of the game".

The board is now locked in litigation after it was sacked by the sports minister on Monday, only to be restored the following day by the Court of Appeal pending a hearing in two weeks.

The ICC has rules against political interference and has suspended Sri Lanka before.

Ranasinghe said yesterday, before the suspension, that he was hopeful that there would be no ICC sanctions against the local board. "I am confident we can talk to the ICC and sort things out," Ranasinghe said in parliament.

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Comments - 24

Let face the tune Saturday, 11 November 2023 02:35 AM

This suspension is clear intimidation by Shammi

Go to hell India Saturday, 11 November 2023 03:13 AM

So Indian controlled ICC wants corruption to continue! Cricket is not as clean as it used to be, thanks to bullying tactics by India, Global cricketing nations should consider boycotting India and start a new ICC under Independent International Cricket Council , IICC. Teach the bastards a lesson Indians are a pain everywhere! Go to hell!!

Kumara Saturday, 11 November 2023 04:00 AM

The government of Sri Lanka interferes not just only in Cricket but in Judiciary too! The world body is teaching them a cricket lesson now. Judiciary is next!

Ram Saturday, 11 November 2023 04:36 AM

No government interference means that SLC must be allowed to carryon regardless without any check

A delighted fan Saturday, 11 November 2023 04:59 AM

Dear Minister of Sports; Do NOT be upset about suspension by the International Criminal Council. Sri Lanka can still continue domestic cricket and keep improving our team. Ask the police to arrest corrupt cricket officials and take them to court where their corrupt relative is not presiding.

A fair-minded fan Saturday, 11 November 2023 05:03 AM

International Criminal Council (ICC) should be suspended for interfering in the affairs of the Sri Lankan Parliament.

Kays N Saturday, 11 November 2023 05:27 AM

No worries. Elle players from Polonnaruwa will lead the way to make Elle an international sport. Even AKD might support with sponsorship from North Korea.

Percy Saturday, 11 November 2023 06:30 AM

Use the crisis to change the constitution of SL Cricket to change the voting rights that have corrupted the whole system

A happy cricket fan Saturday, 11 November 2023 06:34 AM

Dear Honourable Minister of Sports. Don't worry that Corrupt ICC (International Criminal Council) has suspended corrupt SLC. Form an honest SLC and continue with doemstic cricket for the time being. Also discuss this matter with honest cricket organizations in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, England, West Indies, South Africa Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Ireland and Netherland etc.

Jayantha Saturday, 11 November 2023 06:42 AM

No need to be in a hurry minister. Take time and take icc to an international court. You have the support of parliment and also people here. Icc got caught red handed this time for fake allegations when they did not ban afg cricket when whole country was taken over by armed terrorists and cricket taken over by Thalibans. Send a firm letter to icc saying you will take legal action against icc internationally if the ban is not removed within a certain period and pay compensation within x amount of time for tarnishing the image of sri lanka. Send seperate letter of demand for each official and ask compensation from each too. Also you can take icc for aiding corruption as they foolishly exposed themself by supporting a corrupt local official.

D P P Prasad Saturday, 11 November 2023 07:24 AM

Late minister Mr Gamini Dissanayaka took all possible measures to obtain the test status to the country. Since then due to the certain tug of wars The good name of Srilankan cricket was tarnished.Mean time certain rogues and gamblers took over the administration of Srilankan cricket. Subsequently our cricket reached the culmination of the corruption. Therefore a strong leadership should be needed to resurrect our cricket board

Steve Saturday, 11 November 2023 07:40 AM

Don't worry ICC, SL have 225 cricketers who would continue to play the game until they are thrown out.

warren Saturday, 11 November 2023 08:10 AM

Does the ICC ruling mean the country should allow Sri Lanka Cricket to function however they want, and all forms of corruption must go scot-free? This is ridiculous. Institutions must indeed be insulated from political interference. No question about that. But this should not mean that officers of these institutions must be allowed to do whatever they want! There needs to be checks and balances and accountability in governance. ICC must stipulate that the national cricket bodies of member countries must come under the purview of the Auditor General of those countries, and their independent findings (annual) must be tabled with them (i.e. the ICC) and the countries' parliaments. And take immediate action, making officers personally liable for embezzlement and fraud revelations. A national sporting body belongs to the government (i.e., the people) and is not a private company!!!

Manzu Saturday, 11 November 2023 08:12 AM

Ranasinghe now it's your turn to sort things out with ICC.

Sambo Saturday, 11 November 2023 08:15 AM

India wants to be boss of Sri Lanka cricket. They interfere in all Sri Lanka affairs. The ICC must understand that there is a level when politics has to interfere to stop wastage and corruption by the the board.

Nilmini Welivita Saturday, 11 November 2023 08:30 AM

Typical SL politicians, lock the door after the crooks have stolen everything. It is best to stop wasting money and time on Cricket and spend it on devolopinng traditional dance and art.

Jude Saturday, 11 November 2023 08:43 AM

This the same ICC allowed BOOKIEEMAN to run SLC whose business is gambling and betting, now where's the moral standards,!! Huh.

Jude Saturday, 11 November 2023 08:50 AM

ICC full of crooks ICC corrupted to the core!! The unscrupulous people at ICC should be answerable to someone. However, as the cricket governing body ICC hierarchy is not answerable to anyone, This has to change. ICc bullying Small members like SL yeah just ask Naseer Hussain.

Jude Saturday, 11 November 2023 08:55 AM

All other ICC members should resign leaving Only India, england and Aussies in the ICC. All other members formulate a New cricket conference or a league and ask Saudis to back the new entity like Saudis backed LIV GOLF rival to PGA. However, 107 year old PGA merged with LIV GOLF.

K.M. Samarasinghe - Ministry of sports Saturday, 11 November 2023 09:00 AM

Some politicians in the (SLPP) - Namal, Prasanna

Prof. N.P. Nanayakara Saturday, 11 November 2023 09:05 AM

Hon. Sports Minister don't give up as you have 100% support from the opposition and ruling party members. Somehow see the SLC board should be chased out and new members should be elected under Arjuna Ranatunga.

Tissa Fernando Saturday, 11 November 2023 09:14 AM

So, Sajith is now in a soup by bringing the motion.

Kiris Baba Amaray Saturday, 11 November 2023 10:45 AM

Mr. Minister, be aware of Prasanna, Mahinananda

Navi Saturday, 11 November 2023 08:36 PM

ICC has suspended because of Internal corruption taking place within the SLC Board ???? Suspension is good. we have discovered a person with Presidential Material in Mr. Roshan Ranasinghe. Already Kusal Mendis has said "If we win the toss put India to bat'. There is pramodaya to speak out. Then, there are players to speak. At least, we have discovered 1/225 who is above corruption, smart,clever, Articulatewith wisdom to collect documentary evidence before he spoke. Have an T/20 WC Audit report in hand given to AG in September 2022. Push AG to issue charges bases on the Audit report. Take all those concerned to Court.

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Sports minister-led emergency meeting to be held at 10 a.m. today

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