The International Cricket Council (ICC) has lifted the suspension of Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) with immediate effect. Accordingly, the ban inflicted on them back in November for their apparent failure to autonomously manage their affairs and for government interference in their governance will cease to exist now.
Also Read:
The ICC had been monitoring the situation of the SLC in the last couple of months and are now satisfied that their concerns have been looked at and resolved. Sri Lankan Sports Minister Harin Fernando tweeted about the lifting of suspension. He said an official statement would follow soon.
The ICC suspended Sri Lanka in November last year citing political interference when Fernando's predecessor Roshan Ranasinghe sacked the incumbent Shammi Silva administration and appointed an interim committee headed by the former captain Arjuna Ranatunga. The court later reinstated Silva and Ranasinghe himself was fired by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The suspension meant Sri Lanka losing the right to host the ongoing U-19 World Cup. ICC CEO Geoff Allardice visited Colombo early this month and met both Wickremesinghe and Fernando.
The government said it was working on a new sports act which would not allow political interference in sports administration.
(With PTI inputs)
