The Sri Lanka Parliament, in a rare display of unity between the government and opposition, has unanimously approved a joint proposal aimed at removing allegedly 'corrupt' office-bearers from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the country's cricket governing body. The motion, titled ‘Removal of corrupt office-bearers including President from SLC,’ saw support from both sides without the need for a vote, following an extensive day-long debate.
While the decision's legality against a private sports body operating under the International Cricket Council (ICC) remains uncertain, a minister cautioned that such interference might lead to an ICC ban on SLC. This concern was raised during the parliamentary discussions.
The catalyst for this move was public dissatisfaction, fueled by a string of disappointing performances, notably a 302-run loss to India in the ongoing ICC ODI World Cup. Calls for the immediate resignation of SLC management came from cricket enthusiasts, fans, and politicians alike.
Following protests at the SLC headquarters in Colombo and poor results in the World Cup, Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe dismissed SLC officials and established an Interim Committee led by former cricketer Arjuna Ranatunga to oversee the sport temporarily. President Ranil Wickremesinghe objected to this decision, leading to a publicized disagreement with the Sports Minister, who refused to withdraw the Interim Committee.
In response to public pressure and protests, the SLC officials returned to their positions with a court order securing their roles for 14 days. The situation remains complex, with the Parliament's involvement raising questions about potential repercussions from the ICC. Sri Lanka's cricketing future hangs in the balance amid this clash between political forces and cricket administration. The outcome of this power struggle will significantly impact the country's representation in international cricket.
(With agency inputs)
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