COLOMBO, Nov 11 (Reuters) – Sri Lanka will appeal its suspension from the International Cricket Council (ICC) following the national team’s dismal performance at the World Cup, Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe said on Saturday. revealed.
The sport’s governing body, the ICC, on Friday suspended the membership of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) with immediate effect, citing interference in cricket by the Sri Lankan government.
Sri Lanka’s Sports Ministry moved to dismiss the SLC board and set up an interim committee following the country’s poor performance at the World Cup, but the country’s Court of Appeal put the move on hold.
Furthermore, last Thursday, Parliament in Colombo unanimously adopted a proposal to remove the SLC leadership.
However, Ranasinghe, speaking on Saturday, denied that there was any political interference in the management of cricket in Sri Lanka and said the ICC’s move was taken without any consultation.
“This is not the way it should be done. When the ICC and other bodies apply bans, there is a lengthy process, which is surprising and unethical,” Ranasinghe told reporters.
“How can they criticize our country like this?”
Separately, SLC officials denied the corruption allegations and said they would work with Ranasinghe to lift his ICC suspension.
Sri Lanka won only two of their nine World Cup matches. They sit 9th in the 10-team standings and are out of contention.
Following the resignation of SLC secretary Mohan de Silva and dismissal from the board, Ranasinghe has set up an interim committee to replace SLC president, headed by former World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga. said.
However, ousted SLC president Shami Silva went to court to contest his removal and was granted a two-week suspension order, pending a full hearing.
Report by Uditha Jayasinghe.Editing: Hugh Lawson
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