Sri Lanka Sports Minister Harin Fernando on Tuesday (December 12) revoked the dismissal of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) over corruption allegations. He himself confirmed the development on social media.
Harin Fernando also reportedly asked the ICC for its observations on an audit report into alleged corruption by the SLC during last year’s T20 World Cup in Australia, according to AFP.
Harin Fernando said: “I have signed a gazette to revoke the decision to appoint an interim committee for Sri Lanka Cricket, with the aim of lifting our suspension from the ICC.”
Today I signed a gazette to reverse the decision appointing an interim committee for Sri Lanka Cricket, with the aim of lifting our suspension from the ICC. I also wrote to the ICC, seeking their comments on the Auditor General’s report on SLC, and to the AG department for further action.
— Harin Fernando (@fernandoharin) December 12, 2023
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) recently filed an official complaint against former sports minister Roshan Ranasinghe for embezzlement. They filed a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.
This was done before the hearing of the case filed by SLC over Roshan Ranasinghe’s decision to sack the entire board and appoint an interim committee headed by former captain Arjuna Ranatunga.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was recently banned by the ICC for serious failure to fulfill its obligation. They were banned because they failed to stop political accusations. As a result of this, the U19 World Cup that was scheduled for Sri Lanka was moved out of the country. The tournament will now be played in South Africa in January
“Sri Lanka Cricket is in serious breach of its obligations as a 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,” ICC had stated.
Sri Lanka to host Zimbabwe in white-ball series
Sri Lanka is all set to host Zimbabwe for the white-ball series in January 2024. The two teams will face off in a three-match ODI and T20I series, to be played from January 6 to 18. The first over-50s match will be played on January 6, followed by the second and third matches on January 8 and 11 respectively.
After the ODI series, the T20Is will begin operations from January 14. The second match between the teams will be played on January 16, while the last match is scheduled for January 18. The T20I series between the two teams will be played at the same venue as the ODI series. All matches will be played at RPICS in Colombo.
Here is a complete schedule of Zimbabwe’s tour to Sri Lanka
ODI series
January 6, 1st ODI, RPICS Colombo January 8, 2nd ODI, RPICS Colombo January 11, 3rd ODI, RPICS Colombo
T20I Series
January 14, 1st T20I, RPICS Colombo January 16, 2nd T20I, RPICS Colombo January 18, 3rd T20I, RPICS Colombo
