By The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) with immediate effect for government interference in its administration. The decision comes after the Sri Lankan government attempted to change the constitution of the SLC and appoint Arjuna Ranatunga, a former World Cup-winning captain, as the chairman of an interim committee.
The ICC has said that it still recognises Shammi Silva, the elected president of the SLC, and his “democratically elected office-bearers”. However, it has also said that it will consider the precise terms of the suspension and the conditions that the SLC will need to satisfy in order to have it lifted.
The suspension has a number of implications for the SLC. It will not be able to host the Under-19 World Cup in January 2024, and it is not clear whether the ICC will continue to release funds to the board. The SLC will also not be able to participate in ICC meetings, although Silva will be entitled to attend the next meeting as an ICC director.
The ICC’s decision is a significant one, and it is not clear how long the suspension will last. It will be important to see how the Sri Lankan government responds to the decision and whether it is willing to back down from its attempts to interfere in the administration of the SLC.On the other hand, irrespective of the ICC ruling the lawmakers could pressure to take legal action against Sri Lanka Cricket officials
Meanwhile, as the ban continues, it will be difficult for Sri Lanka Cricket to manage it’s day-to-day accounts if the state-owned banks refuse them to withdraw funds.
Additional context
The suspension of the SLC comes amid a backdrop of growing concern about government interference in cricket around the world. In recent years, there have been similar cases in Zimbabwe and South Africa. The ICC has said that it is committed to protecting the autonomy of its member boards, and it is likely that the suspension of the SLC will send a strong message to other governments that are considering interfering in the sport.
The suspension is also likely to have a significant impact on Sri Lankan cricket. The country is one of the leading cricket-playing nations in the world, and the suspension will mean that its players will not be able to compete in international cricket. This could have a negative impact on the development of the sport in the country.
It remains to be seen how the situation will develop. However, the suspension of the SLC is a significant event, and it will be interesting to see how the ICC and the Sri Lankan government respond in the coming weeks and months.
