Five key updates from Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe’s press briefing
1. **Life Threat Allegations:** Sri Lankan Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe claims his life is under threat from influential figures associated with the cricket mafia in the country, accusing top officials in the President’s office of supporting corrupt Sri Lanka Cricket officials.
2. **Distrust in President’s Office:** Minister Ranasinghe expresses extreme distrust, stating that he won’t even consume water from the President’s office due to fears of potential poisoning, further emphasizing his allegations against high-ranking officials.
3. **Sri Lanka Cricket’s Request for Ban:** The Minister alleges that Sri Lanka Cricket itself requested a ban from the International Cricket Council (ICC) as a strategic move, intending to use it as leverage or blackmail to protect corrupt officials within the organization.
4. **Appeal to ICC and Sports Arbitration Court:** Despite the suspension, Minister Ranasinghe asserts that they will appeal to the ICC and are prepared to take the case to the sports arbitration court if justice is not achieved through the ICC proceedings.
5. **Court of Appeal Submission:** The Minister announces plans to submit an appeal to the Court of Appeal on Monday, seeking to overturn the suspension imposed on the interim committee led by Arjuna Ranatunga.