Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), also known as the Sri Lanka Cricket Board, was suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on November 10, 2023, for government interference. The suspension means that Sri Lankan teams will not be able to participate in any ICC-sanctioned events, including the Champions Trophy 2025.
Sri Lanka Cricket is the second Full Member of the ICC to face suspension in the last four years, after Zimbabwe was suspended in 2019 for the same reason.
The ICC’s decision to suspend SLC comes after a series of events that have led to instability and uncertainty in Sri Lankan cricket. In September 2023, the Sri Lankan government sacked the entire SLC board after the men’s cricket team’s poor performance at the Cricket World Cup 2023. However, the sacking was stayed by the Sri Lankan Court of Appeal, which means that the elected SLC board headed by Shammi Silva continues to chair Sri Lanka Cricket.
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Despite the court order, the Sri Lankan government has continued to interfere in the running of SLC. In October 2023, the sports minister of Sri Lanka Roshan Ranasinghe appointed an interim committee to run SLC, but the committee was not recognized by the ICC.
ICC Board suspends #SriLankaCricket’s membership of #ICC with immediate effect. pic.twitter.com/zv7tt6LXBU
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) November 11, 2023
The suspension of SLC is a major setback for Sri Lankan cricket, which is already struggling due to a number of factors, including poor performance on the field, financial problems, and political interference. It is unclear when the suspension will be lifted, but it is important for the Sri Lankan government and SLC to work together to resolve the issues that have led to the suspension.
Why Is Sri Lanka Cricket Suspended?
Sri Lanka Cricket is suspended because of government interference. The ICC requires its members to manage their affairs autonomously, without government interference. However, the Sri Lankan government has interfered in the running of SLC by sacking the elected board and appointing an interim committee.
Consequences Of The Suspension
The consequences of the suspension of Sri Lanka Cricket by the ICC are as follows:
- Sri Lankan teams will not be able to participate in any ICC-sanctioned events, including the Champions Trophy 2025.
- Sri Lanka will not receive any funding from the ICC during the suspension period.
- Sri Lanka’s sponsors and advertisers may withdraw their support.
- Sri Lankan cricketers may miss out on opportunities to play in other leagues and competitions around the world.
- Sri Lankan cricket fans will be deprived of international cricket matches.
The suspension will also have a negative impact on the Sri Lankan economy, as cricket is a major source of revenue and employment for the country.
The ICC has not announced any specific conditions for the suspension to be lifted. However, it is likely that SLC will need to demonstrate that it is able to manage its affairs autonomously, without government interference, before the suspension is lifted.
The suspension of Sri Lanka Cricket is a major setback for the country’s cricket. It is important for the Sri Lankan government and SLC to work together to resolve the issues that have led to the suspension so that Sri Lanka can return to international cricket as soon as possible.
When Will The Suspension Be Lifted?
It is unclear when the suspension will be lifted. The ICC has not announced any specific conditions for the suspension to be lifted. However, it is likely that SLC will need to demonstrate that it is able to manage its affairs autonomously, without government interference, before the suspension is lifted.