In a drastic response to Sri Lanka’s devastating loss to India in the 2023 World Cup, Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe has wielded the axe on the entire Sri Lanka Cricket board. The national team’s colossal 302-run defeat in Mumbai on November 2 sent shockwaves across the cricketing world.
Public discontent had been brewing, demanding the ouster of the SLC administration led by Shammi Silva. Protesters gathered outside the SLC headquarters, demanding accountability, and the situation escalated to the deployment of riot police.
Swift action was taken as Ranasinghe appointed an interim seven-member committee, placing former World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga in charge, invoking Sports Law No. 25 of 1973. Ranasinghe had been engaged in a longstanding battle with Sri Lanka Cricket over allegations of widespread corruption within the organization.
Ranasinghe stated, “Sri Lanka Cricket has been plagued by player discipline problems, financial misconduct, management corruption, and match-fixing allegations. These interim measures are essential to establish principles of good governance.”
The International Cricket Council (ICC) had previously compelled Ranasinghe to withdraw a three-member panel investigating board corruption due to interference rule violations. There has been no immediate response from the ICC regarding Ranasinghe’s latest move, and Shammi Silva, the dismissed board president, has refrained from comment.
The newly-formed committee includes three retired judges, including two women, and former SLC chair Upali Dharmadasa. This development marks Arjuna Ranatunga’s return to a leadership role in Sri Lankan cricket, after a similar stint in 2008.
Sri Lanka Cricket had been plagued by allegations of corruption, and this move signifies a significant shift in the cricketing administration of the country. Ranatunga emphasized his commitment to improving the image of Sri Lanka Cricket, stating, “Sri Lanka Cricket had become known as the most corrupt institution in the country. I want to change that image.”
The World Cup defeat to India was not just an embarrassment for Sri Lanka; it also shattered their hopes of reaching the semifinals. With only two wins out of seven games, they find themselves struggling at 7th place, one below Afghanistan.
This marks the second consecutive dismal performance against India in ODIs, as Sri Lanka had previously been bundled out for just 50 runs in the Asia Cup final at Colombo on September 17.
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