Sri Lanka's Sports Minister, Roshan Ranasinghe, has taken a significant step following a disappointing 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup campaign by dismissing the entire staff of the National Cricket Board. In their place, an interim committee led by Arjuna Ranatunga, the 1996 World Cup-winning captain, has been appointed. This interim committee consists of seven members, including three retired judges.
The decision to remove the cricket board came after the board's secretary, Mohan de Silva, resigned amid fan protests at the board's headquarters. The Sports Minister exercised powers granted under Section 33 of the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973 to appoint the interim committee. Their primary task is to conduct a formal investigation into alleged irregularities within the Sri Lanka Cricket board and present a comprehensive report on legal principles.
Additionally, the committee has the authority to make recommendations and establish measures to prevent the recurrence of corruption, misconduct, and irregularities within the Sri Lanka Cricket Board.
Sri Lanka had a disappointing performance in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, losing five out of seven matches in the round-robin league stage and thereby being eliminated from the semifinal race. Their goal now is to secure a spot in the top eight, which would enable them to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in Pakistan.
(With Agency Inputs)
