Sri Lanka Cricket reinstated by ICC after three months

January 30, 2024
4:34 am

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was reinstated by the ICC.
Suspension due to government interference in SLC affairs.
ICC is satisfied with SLC’s adherence to membership obligations now.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has been reinstated by the International Cricket Council (ICC) with immediate effect, the ICC announced on Sunday.

SLC had its membership suspended by the ICC in November 2023 during the ICC World Cup, because of the government’s persistent meddling in the board’s affairs.

“The International Cricket Council lifted the ban on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) today with immediate effect,” the ICC stated in a press release.

“On 10 November 2023, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) were suspended for violation of responsibilities as an ICC Member, in particular, “the requirement to manage its affairs autonomously and ensure that there is no government interference in the governance, regulation and/or administration of cricket in Sri Lanka.”

Despite the removal of the ban, Sri Lanka forfeited the hosting rights of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, which is currently underway in South Africa.

“The ICC Board met on 21 November and it was decided that Sri Lanka can continue to compete internationally both in bilateral cricket and ICC events, but the ongoing U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup was moved to South Africa, having initially been set to be played in Sri Lanka.

“The ICC Board has been monitoring the situation since the suspension and are now satisfied that SLC are no longer in breach of membership obligations,” the press release concluded.

The ICC had declared in November that Sri Lanka Cricket was “in serious breach” of its obligations as a member, emphasizing “the requirement to manage its affairs autonomously and to ensure that there is no government interference”.

SLC was banned by the ICC a day after their parliament demanded the board to step down over accusations by sports minister Roshan Ranasinghe that it had embezzled millions of dollars.