Sri Lanka government appoint Arjuna Ranatunga to take control of SLC

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs have decided to take control of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) after the executive committee was suspended over allegations of irregularities, corruption, misconduct, and dereliction of duties and responsibilities. They have appointed former World Cup-winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga to take control of the board.

However, it is not yet sure how will ICC take to this decision, for they have always been against government interference in cricketing matters. Even Zimbabwe Cricket was suspended by the ICC back in 2021 for government interference and were barred from playing the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup. Back in 2014, ICC took a very grim view of government interference in Sri Lanka Cricket matters.

Sri Lanka Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe has formed a seven-member committee, with Ranatunga as the chairman. The committee also has S. I. Imam (Retired Supreme Court Judge), Rohini Marasinghe (Retired Supreme Court Judge), Irangani Perera (Retired High Court Judge), Upali Dharmadasa (former SLC president), Rakitha Rajapakshe (Attorney-at-Law) and Hisham Jamaldeen in the board.

The interim committee will conduct an independent and transparent investigation of the alleged irregularities and can take action against the culprits. They are also empowered to implement the recommendations provided by the Auditor General in September.