Relief for SLC as Sports Minister sacked

Suspended Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has received a boost as the country's Sports Minister has been dismissed by the President of Sri Lanka. Minister Roshan Ranasinghe had been targeting the SLC and even dissolved its elected body, only for the court to stay the gazette notification. Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando has been appointed as new Sports Minister in place of Ranasinghe.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe issued a release on Monday stating that Ranasinghe has been removed from the portfolios of Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs and Minister of Irrigation, with immediate effect, according to media reports.

This development provides hope for the SLC, which was suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) due to the government's interference in its functioning autonomy. There is a possibility of reinstatement by the world cricket body, although ICC observers suggest that it is too early to consider the revocation of the SLC suspension immediately.

Dismissing the SLC en-masse, Ranasinghe had appointed an interim committee under the chairmanship of Arjuna Ranatunga, an illustrious former World Cup-winning captain but very unpopular in the cricket circle, both in his country and the ICC. The move led to the suspension by the ICC on November 10, a decision that was upheld by ICC Board at its meeting in Ahmedabad on November 21.