Harin revokes appointment of interim committee to SLC

 Sports Minister Harin Fernando

• Move aimed at lifting ICC suspension imposed on SLC

Sports Minister Harin Fernando taking to ‘X’ on social media says that he has signed a Gazette notification revoking the earlier decision to appoint an interim committee for Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

Minister Fernando said the Gazette was signed yesterday with an aim to lift the ban imposed on Sri Lanka Cricket by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The Sports Minister further revealed that he has also written to the ICC, seeking their observations on the Auditor General’s report on Sri Lanka Cricket.Minister Fernando added that the advice of the Attorney General’s Department has also been sought for future actions.

An escalating spat between former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe and the current SLC administration resulted in the ICC imposing a ban on Sri Lanka Cricket, citing political interference.

The former Sports Minister had appointed an interim committee headed by former cricket Captain Arjuna Ranatunga, claiming that the Auditor General’s report has confirmed financial malpractice related to SLC.  Following the appointment of the interim committee, the SLC wrote to the ICC on the matter, while a Parliament vote was also held suspending the office bearers of the SLC.

Taking into consideration the developments, the ICC imposed a ban on Sri Lanka Cricket citing political interference.

Subsequently, President Ranil Wickremesinghe stepped in sacking Roshan Ranasinghe from all his ministerial portfolios, including Sports, to which he appointed Minister Harin Fernando.