SLC Office-Bearers Set to be Re-Appointed Amidst ICC Investigation

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is expected to re-appoint its incumbent office-bearers during the Annual General Meeting scheduled for today. Shammi Silva is set to return as President, while Jayantha Dharmadasa and Ravin Wickramaratne will continue as Vice Presidents. Mohan de Silva will retain his position as Secretary, with no opposing nominations challenging their re-election.

This development takes place amidst an ongoing investigation by the International Cricket Council (ICC) into allegations of political interference by Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister, Roshan Ranasinghe. SLC officials had raised concerns with the ICC, prompting the appointment of a three-member committee comprising Jay Shah (Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India), Imran Khwaja (Deputy Chairman of the ICC), and Nazmul Hassan (President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board). Khwaja recently visited Sri Lanka to meet with SLC officials and the Sports Minister.

During the meeting, Khwaja urged both SLC and the Sports Minister to collaborate and devise a roadmap for necessary reforms, emphasizing the ICC’s opposition to political interference in cricket administration. SLC Secretary Mohan de Silva confirmed that the ICC had conveyed their grievances to the Minister and stressed the importance of addressing the issues hindering their work.

SLC’s strained relationship with the Minister has been exacerbated by concerns raised regarding the extravagant spending on sending officials to the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates and the T20 World Cup in Australia last year. The national cricket selection committee has also faced scrutiny, with the Sports Minister’s appointed National Sports Council (NSC), led by Arjuna Ranatunga, refusing to ratify SLC’s nominations, arguing that more qualified candidates were available.

Furthermore, the Minister introduced a gazette that imposed term limits and age restrictions on sports associations, seemingly targeting the current SLC officials. SLC successfully petitioned the Court of Appeal, resulting in a stay order against the implementation of the gazette.

As the SLC office-bearers prepare for re-appointment, the ICC investigation looms over their administration. The outcome of the investigation and subsequent collaboration with the Sports Minister will be crucial in shaping the future of cricket governance in Sri Lanka.