Amidst an international suspension and domestic turbulence, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) appears to be holding steady against the tide. The national cricket federation remains in operation despite its suspension by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and facing direct threats from the country’s Sports Minister, who has been assertive in his bid to introduce Arjuna Ranatunga as the interim head of the cricket governing body.
Notable for its resilience, the SLC has been steering the cricket administration in Sri Lanka devoid of any legal obstacles or court injunctions, clearly challenging the earlier decision by the Sports Ministry to dismiss it. In an unexpected turn of events, it seems that even the President of Sri Lanka is showing signs of concession towards SLC. In recent statements to Parliament, President Ranil Wickremesinghe implied a more considerate approach. He pledged to review the pleas made by SLC chief Shammi Silva in three distinct letters to the ICC, dated November 6, 7, and 9, all of which have been acquired by our sources.
These communications with the ICC were an entreaty for leniency regarding the suspension of the SLC. However, concrete measures from the presidential office remain unseen. Adding depth to this political drama, President Wickremesinghe went on to contradict the declarations made by Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, who suggested that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and its secretary Jay Shah wielded undue influence over Sri Lankan cricket affairs.
Dispelling these allegations, the Sri Lankan President addressed the claims directly, stating during an interview with the Indian outlet First Post, “No, Jay Shah doesn’t run Sri Lankan cricket… But I spoke to Jay Shah and felt sorry that his name had been dragged in and apologized.” With these words, Wickremesinghe has introduced an element of diplomacy into the situation, distancing his administration from conflict-ridden narratives. The legal hearing on the matter has been adjourned to Monday (November 27), leaving matters hanging in the balance a little longer.
In a bold counter-offensive, Sri Lanka Cricket has vehemently contested the allegations put forth by the Sports Minister, particularly those concerning the mismanagement of funds by the cricket authority. A stark contrast in narratives was highlighted by the SLC in a release dated Friday (November 24), emphasizing discrepancies between official documents it obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act and the public statements issued by the Ministry of Sports.
The ministry was accused of providing inaccurate details regarding the expenditure of a sizeable grant from SLC and veiling the truth. While a media release from the Ministry on November 13 outlined 47 specific points of expenditure of SLC’s grant of Rs. 289 million, documents obtained by the cricket board told a different story — one involving funds spread across 67 activities, far more than previously disclosed.
Another point of contention between SLC and the Sports Ministry relates to the recent World Cup roster. Two of Sri Lanka’s foremost players, Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera, were conspicuously absent from the tournament, a decision SLC claims was enforced by the ministry due to injury concerns, despite SLC’s eagerness to include them potentially later in the event. The refusal from the sports ministry to send them without medical clearance serves as an emblem of the current discord, although, retrospectively, it may have been a prudent move.
On the international front, SLC’s status remains suspended with the ICC retaining control over its funding. Notably, however, this suspension does not impede SLC’s teams from participating in global competitions, a small reprieve for Sri Lanka’s embattled cricket establishment. The coming days are critical, as the island nation waits to see which party will ultimately emerge to steer its cherished sport through these trying times.