Sports Minister revokes Gazette against SLC, writes to ICC

December 12, 2023 at 4:27 PM

Sports Minister Harin Fernando says he has signed a Gazette notification revoking the earlier decision to appoint an interim committee for Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

Taking to ‘X’, Minister Fernando said the Gazette was signed today with an aim to lift the ban imposed on Sri Lanka Cricket by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The Sports Minister further revealed that he has also written to the ICC, seeking their observations on the Auditor General’s report on Sri Lanka Cricket.

Minister Fernando added that the advice of the Attorney General’s Department has also been sought for future actions.

An escalating spat between former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe and the current SLC administration resulted in the ICC imposing a ban on Sri Lanka Cricket, citing political interference.

The former Sports Minister had appointed an interim committee headed by former cricketer Arjuna Ranatunga, claiming that the Auditor General’s report has confirmed financial malpractice related to the SLC.

Following the appointment of the interim committee, the SLC wrote to the ICC on the matter, while a Parliament vote was also held suspending the office bearers of the SLC.

Taking into consideration the developments, the ICC imposed a ban on Sri Lanka Cricket citing political interference.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe also stepped in sacking Roshan Ranasinghe from all his ministerial portfolios, including Sports, to which he appointed Minister Harin Fernando. (NewsWire)