In an unprecedented move on Monday, November 27, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe dismissed Roshan Ranasinghe from his roles as the Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs and Minister of Irrigation during a cabinet meeting. The political fallout can be traced back to an accusation by Ranasinghe where he alleged that President Wickremesinghe had made an attempt on his life. This controversy stemmed from Ranasinghe’s management of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) affairs.
The now-former sports minister pointed his finger at the President following a decision he had made regarding the direction of Sri Lankan cricket. After the national men’s cricket team suffered a humiliating loss to India in the Cricket World Cup 2023, Ranasinghe took the drastic action of dissolving the existing SLC board. In its stead, he appointed a new committee, placing the country’s celebrated former cricket captain, Arjuna Ranatunga, at the helm of all cricket operations within the nation.
Ranasinghe’s direct intervention in the workings of Sri Lanka’s cricket governance immediately caught the attention of the International Cricket Council (ICC). In response, the ICC suspended the membership of the Sri Lankan cricket board without delay. This led to the relocation of the U19 World Cup 2024, initially set to take place in Sri Lanka, to South Africa. Furthermore, the ICC halted funding to Sri Lanka Cricket until there was an update that could allow a reassessment of the situation.
Despite this, Sri Lanka was permitted to continue participating in international cricket matches, including bilateral series, after an appeal to the ICC. While this was a relief for cricket enthusiasts and players, the possibility of the ICC lifting its ban on the SLC remains a distant thought, with discussions likely still in early stages. Nevertheless, the removal of Ranasinghe from his ministerial post could be a signal toward potential improvements in what had become a rapidly deteriorating scenario.
The drama between President Wickremesinghe and Ranasinghe came to a head following conversations they had regarding the newly appointed cricket committee. As reported by the Daily Mirror, Ranasinghe vehemently refused the President’s directive to dismantle the committee. He was quoted expressing his stance in Parliament, indicating his willingness to be removed from his ministerial role rather than complying with the President’s demand that he overturn his decision on the cricket committee.
The spark of this governance debacle arose from Sri Lanka’s unsatisfactory performance at the World Cup 2023. The team achieved only two victories across nine group-stage matches. Their campaign was further marred by the absence of their captain, Dasun Shanaka, for the majority of the tournament due to an injury, alongside a spate of injuries across the squad hampering their ability to compete effectively.
As the SLC looks to navigate through these tumultuous times, the cricketing fraternity’s eyes are on the island nation to see how they will steady the ship amidst the governance controversy and restore the integrity of their cherished sport. As the funding remains suspended and with a major international event shifted away from their shores, the consequences of the recent actions are being felt. Now, with a momentous decision made at the highest level of government, fans and officials alike eagerly await positive signs of reform and the return of stability to Sri Lanka’s cricketing landscape.