In a dramatic turn of events, Sri Lanka’s sports minister, Harin Fernando, has made a bold move by revoking the decision to sack the national cricket board (SLC), all in the hopes of ending the International Cricket Council (ICC) suspension hanging over the country like a dark cloud. This decision comes as a response to the turmoil that followed the Sri Lankan cricket team’s dismal performance in the recent World Cup, where they finished a disappointing ninth out of ten teams.
Initially, the SLC’s removal from power was met with legal action, and a court ruling eventually reinstated the board. However, the ICC, citing government interference, decided to suspend Sri Lanka, a blow that stung the cricket-loving nation and left them in limbo. Adding to the woes, Sri Lanka was stripped of its rights to host the 2024 Under-19 men’s World Cup.
Harin Fernando, the man with a plan, announced his bold move with a touch of modernity, taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, to declare his intentions. “I signed a gazette to revoke the decision appointing an interim committee for Sri Lanka Cricket, aiming to lift our ICC suspension,” he boldly stated.
But Fernando’s ambition doesn’t stop there. He has also thrown a curveball at the ICC by requesting their “observations” on an audit report that alleges corruption within the SLC during the previous year’s T20 World Cup in Australia. It’s a move that shows he’s serious about cleaning up Sri Lankan cricket and restoring its reputation.
The whole saga began when Harin Fernando’s predecessor, Roshan Ranasinghe, made corruption allegations against the SLC in a fiery statement to parliament last month. He didn’t just stop at accusations; he called for board members to resign. In response to the mounting pressure, Secretary Mohan de Silva tendered his resignation, and the entire board was sacked.
In a rather dramatic turn of events, Ranasinghe appointed an interim committee, led by none other than World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga. However, a court order intervened, essentially pressing the “undo” button and restoring the original board after a two-week stay order was granted.
In response to this rollercoaster, the ICC decided to play hardball, suspending Sri Lanka and swiftly relocating the Under-19 World Cup to South Africa, leaving cricket fans in Sri Lanka disheartened.
But the drama didn’t stop there. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, sensing the need for a change, decided to part ways with Ranasinghe at the end of last month, adding another layer to this cricketing soap opera.
Sri Lanka, under the guidance of former England coach Chris Silverwood, had a dismal showing in the World Cup, managing to secure victory in just two out of their nine games. This ninth-place finish also meant that they missed out on qualification for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
As the cricketing world watches with bated breath, all eyes are now on Harin Fernando and his quest to restore Sri Lankan cricket to its former glory. England’s upcoming three-Test series against Sri Lanka next summer promises to be an intriguing battleground, where the cricketing fortunes of this island nation will be on full display. Will Fernando’s bold moves pay off, or will Sri Lanka continue to grapple with the turmoil that has plagued its cricketing landscape? Only time will tell.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about ICC Suspension
What led to the suspension of Sri Lanka by the ICC?
The suspension of Sri Lanka by the ICC was primarily triggered by government interference in the country’s cricket board. This interference stemmed from the decision to sack the national cricket board following the poor performance of the Sri Lankan cricket team in the World Cup, where they finished ninth out of ten teams.
How did Sri Lanka’s sports minister, Harin Fernando, respond to the suspension?
Harin Fernando, the sports minister, took action to reverse the decision to sack the cricket board, aiming to lift the ICC suspension. He signed a gazette to revoke the appointment of an interim committee for Sri Lanka Cricket in an effort to restore stability to the sport.
Why did the ICC relocate the Under-19 World Cup?
The ICC decided to relocate the Under-19 World Cup from Sri Lanka to South Africa as a consequence of the suspension. This move was a response to the ongoing cricketing turmoil and uncertainty in Sri Lanka due to the government’s interference and the subsequent suspension.
What were the corruption allegations surrounding the SLC?
Corruption allegations were made against the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board during the previous year’s T20 World Cup in Australia. These allegations were brought to light by Harin Fernando’s predecessor, Roshan Ranasinghe, in a statement to parliament. Fernando further sought the ICC’s observations on this audit report to address the issue.
Did Sri Lanka face any repercussions in international cricket due to their poor World Cup performance?
Yes, Sri Lanka faced repercussions in international cricket due to their dismal performance in the World Cup. Their ninth-place finish in the tournament meant that they missed out on qualification for the 2025 Champions Trophy, which is a significant event in international cricket.
What impact did the court order have on the SLC’s leadership?
The court order essentially nullified the interim committee appointed by Roshan Ranasinghe, returning the original cricket board to power. This decision added a layer of complexity to the ongoing situation, which eventually led to the ICC’s suspension of Sri Lanka.
How has the Sri Lankan president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, been involved in this cricketing saga?
Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Sri Lankan president, played a role in the unfolding drama by dismissing Roshan Ranasinghe from his position. This decision added a political dimension to the cricketing turmoil in Sri Lanka.
More about ICC Suspension
- ICC Suspends Sri Lanka Over Government Interference
- Sri Lanka Cricket Board Sacking Reversed by Court
- Harin Fernando’s Announcement on Twitter
- Corruption Allegations in Sri Lanka Cricket
- Sri Lanka’s Poor World Cup Performance and Its Consequences
- Impact of the Court Order on Sri Lanka Cricket Board
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Role in the Cricket Saga
4 comments
i guess no music in this story but still interesting, hope sri lanka cricket gets better!
cricket drama like a bollywood movie, suspenshun, corruption, and court orders, it’s all here folks!
wow, cricket in sri lanka went thru a looot of ups n downs, gud job harin fernando for takin charge & tryin to fix it
ICC had no chocie, sri lanka cricket was in chaos, hop they sort it out soon