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Arjuna will be tasked with rebuilding if SLC suspended by ICC: Minister

10 November 2023 11:47 am - 28     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

PARLIAMENT (Daily Mirror)- Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will be handed over to former captain Arjuna Ranatunga for a brief period for the task of rebuilding if SLC is suspended by the ICC, Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe said today.

"We will hand over the task of rebuilding Sri Lanka Cricket to former captain Arjuna Ranatunga for six to eight months in the event Sri Lanka is suspended by the ICC. We will enact the Sports Act, go for an election and then we can go for other matches. We need the approval from parliament to proceed with that plan," he told Parliament.

The Minister said this while responding to an allegation made by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa that a conspiracy has been hatched to get Sri Lanka suspended by the ICC.

He also said the two million dollars which was withdrawn by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) from a bank in Colombo on Thursday had been transfered to another bank account.

The Minister said cheques are being issued by the SLC and SLC funds of are being spent hurriedly.


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  Comments - 28

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  • Naive Drama Queens Friday, 10 November 2023 12:13 PM

    the 6.9Mn entrusted the country to one man GR the 225 entrusted the country to one man RW the minster is entrusting cricket to one man AR Are there similarities in this type of decision making?

    Mokan Friday, 10 November 2023 12:15 PM

    As a head of sports , you also should resign immediately

    Punchihewa Friday, 10 November 2023 12:44 PM

    The Sports Minister has contingency plans in place if the ICC suspends SLC. Whether the Minister will have his say depends on the President who will ultimately make moves to derail the Minister's agenda.

    A frustrated cricket fan Friday, 10 November 2023 01:06 PM

    What about the Interim Committee proposed by you? Will corrupt SLC Executives continue to be in power and destroy Sri Lankan cricket? What is the effect of a resolution unanimously passed by the Parliament to remove corrupt SLC Executives?

    N.S. Nanayakkara Friday, 10 November 2023 01:15 PM

    Minister of sports destroyed Srilanka football. Now Heis trying to destroy Srilanka cricket.

    Prabodha Friday, 10 November 2023 01:33 PM

    If SL is suspended by ICC, the Minister has to surely go.

    Sri Lankan Friday, 10 November 2023 01:50 PM

    Very Obvious certain people including Roshan Ranasingha trying to Sabotage RW's plan for future of Cricket in SL, Because it will be very difficult to manipulate Finances according to President new proposal.

    A Cricket Lover Friday, 10 November 2023 01:55 PM

    Dear Minister of Sports; Arjuna says the current SL ODI Team which was all out to India in Colombo for 51 runs and lost 9 matches out of 11 matches played in India (including 2 practice matches) is better than his 1996 World Cup winning team. Can you entrust Arjuna to build a team to win a World Cup?

    Anthony. R Friday, 10 November 2023 01:57 PM

    The minister is Distroying SriLanka Cricket also. With his ignorence in the sport, he is caught by the crooks, and fraudsters and believing them to rebuild SriLanka Cricket. It is wishful thinking, and it will only be the last nail in the coffin. The ICC status we got was after very hard honest work by those who loved our Nation and the sport. Please protect it. It was Not given to us just on a silver platter,The Minister of Sports must quitt and get a knowledgeable, honest man to do the job,to save the sport we all love.

    Go ahead Minister Friday, 10 November 2023 02:08 PM

    Excellent plan Minister.What the use of cricket losing games in 50 runs. Soon we will be demoted to associate league

    Yes bring Arjuna Friday, 10 November 2023 02:25 PM

    Very good move Roshan because Shah will not like Arjuna at any cost. That should be our plan as we will lost Test status at this rate in any case.

    wsw Friday, 10 November 2023 03:56 PM

    @N.S. Nanayakkara , R u defending the current SLC office bearers? Do you seriously believe there is anything left to destroy in SL cricket?

    Dan Friday, 10 November 2023 04:04 PM

    It was Arjuna along with Thilanga who got rid of Ana Punchihewa after the world cup victory because money started pouring to Cricket Board at this time. Subsequent boards were all corrupt and peaked in the last few years. We are now tasting the repercussions of these actions. Now we want to bring the same man to rebuild the system.

    Vadivelu Yogaratnam Friday, 10 November 2023 04:18 PM

    It doesn't mater who take over nothing going to change until government makes all public services operational independent like West specialy police and justice system, no one above the law will they do it answer no because all politicians from top to bottom in past and present corrupted no exception God bless poor Lanka.

    sam Friday, 10 November 2023 05:37 PM

    You need someone free of corruption.

    I luv Cricket Friday, 10 November 2023 05:37 PM

    What bloody cricket for a country that is a failed state since 1948.

    Ram Friday, 10 November 2023 06:11 PM

    Let us all live in hope. Arjuna too has a questionable past as a Minister for having employed his brothers to top positions

    Ram Friday, 10 November 2023 06:14 PM

    Consider appointing Shani Abeysekera as Chairman in the Interim Committee. He is likelly to clean the place and prosecute the culprits

    Kps Friday, 10 November 2023 07:01 PM

    Keep up your fearless good work towards our ever loving Cricket. Best wishes. You won people’s hearts.

    Sammy Friday, 10 November 2023 07:28 PM

    What will be the reason for ICC to suspend to suspend SLC?

    roni Friday, 10 November 2023 07:59 PM

    Mr Minister Arjuna must be another PASTOR JEROME if he can turn around this mess in 8 months. He will ruin this place further. He is no administrator just make him an under 19 coach it is from that level good cricketers are formed. He should also be reminded that Colombo schools include Royal, St Peters, St Josephs and these boys should not be deprived if good enough.

    Lalantha Perera Saturday, 11 November 2023 04:47 AM

    The sovereignty of the country and its laws are supreme than any entity, so SLC is under the laws of the country, that’s why it’s called Sri Lanka Cricket, not anybody’s CRICKET, yes SLC is a member of the ICC as a cricket playing nation, like any other cricket playing Country, ICC can not be above the laws of the country, if SLC as a entity who provides pleasure and pride for its people through the game of Cricket, if so , if there is fraud and misconduct of it by the board at SLC the government of Sri Lanka is above the ICC to take appropriate action against SLC to correct the situation to safe guard the entity.

    A hopeful cricket fan Saturday, 11 November 2023 06:45 AM

    Dear Minister of Sports; Don't worry about suspension by the corrupt ICC. I too have my reservations about Arjuna. Get honest and capable cricket greats and build up Sri Lankan cricket.

    Dr. D.M.J. Samarakoon Saturday, 11 November 2023 09:59 AM

    Mr. Minister, you will have to handle matters very tactfully as yesterday Mythiripala Sirisena had told some of his SLFP politicians that Roshan has no knowledge of anything, he can't speak English and this ministry cannot be run by him and how he is going to have talks with ICC without English knowledge etc., Sirisena also added that he has more contacts with Shammi Silva and relate all the parliamentary secrets to him and put you out from your ministry. So, be careful Mr. Minister about Sirisena, he can cut anyone's throat for the sake of few dollars.

    Jerald Mirando - CEO Saturday, 11 November 2023 10:04 AM

    As Roni says, yes, it is true Mr. Minister. While selecting the team you must select players from Colombo reputed schools as they are educated, and English speaking will manage any circumstances. Like Mendis, if village folks are selected, then disgrace for our team and the country. Take this into consideration please.

    Pathirana Galgane Saturday, 11 November 2023 12:00 PM

    I am sure that it will be another ports and shipping authority under his influence! Appoint Kappam Brother as the Chair! Then all will be solved!

    No Ball Saturday, 11 November 2023 05:15 PM

    If Roshan Ranasinghe is not allowed to carry out his plans as the Minister in charge of Sports , can he shamelessly remain in the Government ? He has asked for a Forensic Audit for the period from 2018 in addition to the appointment of the Interim Committee under Arjuna.

    Ginigathhene Siriwathie Sunday, 12 November 2023 01:30 AM

    People do not trust this Arjuna as he has no clear history of honest service to people in politics! His whole family is in the same category including the Best Popular Kappam brother! There will not be any any changes to anything except several new faces with hidden agendas to steal money!


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