ICC Ends Sri Lanka Cricket Suspension, Satisfied With Compliance, Allowing Immediate Reinstatement Into International Cricket
This move was later overturned by the court, reinstating Silva, and Ranasinghe was subsequently dismissed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The ICC Board has decided to lift the suspension imposed on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) with immediate effect. The suspension, which was initiated in November, was a result of SLC being found in serious breach of its obligations as an ICC member. The specific violation involved failure to manage its affairs autonomously and ensuring there was no government interference in the governance, regulation, and administration of cricket in Sri Lanka.
The ICC Board had been closely monitoring the situation since the suspension was imposed and is now satisfied that SLC has rectified its shortcomings, no longer breaching its membership obligations. The announcement of the suspension lift came through a tweet from Sports Minister Harin Fernando, who mentioned that an official statement would follow soon.
pic.twitter.com/jMF5B7976b — Harin Fernando (@fernandoharin) January 28, 2024
The suspension had significant repercussions for Sri Lanka, leading to the loss of the right to host the U-19 World Cup. The ICC CEO, Geoff Allardice, visited Colombo earlier in the month, holding discussions with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sports Minister Harin Fernando. The political interference that led to the suspension involved the sacking of the incumbent Shammi Silva administration by the former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, who appointed an interim committee headed by former captain Arjuna Ranatunga. This move was later overturned by the court, reinstating Silva, and Ranasinghe was subsequently dismissed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The government responded to the suspension by expressing its commitment to creating a new sports act that would prevent political interference in sports administration. The lifting of the suspension is seen as a positive development for Sri Lanka's cricketing landscape, allowing the country to once again participate fully in international cricket events.
In a related development, the ICC shared a rendered image of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, a pop-up stadium in New York, where the much-anticipated India vs. Pakistan T20 World Cup 2024 match is scheduled to take place. This marks an exciting prospect for cricket fans as the sport continues to expand its global reach.
