In a shocking development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday (Nov 10) suspended the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) with immediate effect over excessive government interference. The ICC decided to suspend the board over questionable activities following Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister&nbsp;Roshan Ranasinghe’s decision to dissolve the board over widespread corruption charges, only to see a court restoring all expelled members.

While the ICC’s quarterly meeting is scheduled from November 18-21 in Ahmedabad, the board members, in a crisis call, met online on Friday to determine the future of Sri Lanka Cricket over the latest developments unfolding within the cricket board.

"The ICC Board met today and determined that 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," the ICC said in a statement.

"The conditions of the suspension will be decided by the ICC Board in due course."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/world-cup-if-fakhar-stays-for-20-30-overs-we-can-achieve-this-babar-on-pakistans-chances-of-beating-eng-657370">World Cup: If Fakhar stays for 20-30 overs, we can achieve this – Babar on Pakistan's chances of beating ENG</a>

After losing to India by an embarrassing margin of 302 runs in Mumbai in World Cup 2023, there was an outcry from fans outside of the board in Colombo, for which even police personnel were deployed.

A day later, on past Sunday, Ranasinghe announced that he was dissolving the board over corrupt activities. He appointed an interim committee chaired by former World Cup winner Arjuna Ranatunga.

The next day, the Sri Lanka Court of Appeal scrapped the decision by removing the interim committee and bringing back the ousted officials until further notice.

With this being an ICC guideline breach, which says no government interference should happen within any full-member or newly-added member board, the governing body acted swiftly by suspending Sri Lanka Cricket.

While this suspension might surprise other members, the SLC had asked the ICC to take the extreme step, per the latest reports. Although ICC continues to recognise SLC president Shammi Silva, who is currently in India and also part of the Friday meeting, he is likely to attend the scheduled board meeting after the World Cup 2023.

Meanwhile, SLC is the second Full Member to face suspension by the ICC in the past four years, after Zimbabwe Cricket suffered the same fate in 2019 for similar reasons.&nbsp;

Although unlike in Zimbabwe, where all cricket activities abruptly got shut down, with ICC freezing the funding, the cricket’s governing body will treat Sri Lanka’s case a bit more carefully.

In a shocking development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday (Nov 10) suspended the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) with immediate effect over excessive government interference.

In a shocking development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday (Nov 10) suspended the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) with immediate effect over excessive government interference. The ICC decided to suspend the board over questionable activities following Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe’s decision to dissolve the board over widespread corruption charges, only to see a court restoring all expelled members. While the ICC’s quarterly meeting is scheduled from November 18-21 in Ahmedabad, the board members, in a crisis call, met online on Friday to determine the future of Sri Lanka Cricket over the latest developments unfolding within the cricket board. "The ICC Board met today and determined that 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," the ICC said in a statement. "The conditions of the suspension will be decided by the ICC Board in due course." ALSO READ: World Cup: If Fakhar stays for 20-30 overs, we can achieve this – Babar on Pakistan's chances of beating ENG After losing to India by an embarrassing margin of 302 runs in Mumbai in World Cup 2023, there was an outcry from fans outside of the board in Colombo, for which even police personnel were deployed. A day later, on past Sunday, Ranasinghe announced that he was dissolving the board over corrupt activities. He appointed an interim committee chaired by former World Cup winner Arjuna Ranatunga. The next day, the Sri Lanka Court of Appeal scrapped the decision by removing the interim committee and bringing back the ousted officials until further notice. With this being an ICC guideline breach, which says no government interference should happen within any full-member or newly-added member board, the governing body acted swiftly by suspending Sri Lanka Cricket. While this suspension might surprise other members, the SLC had asked the ICC to take the extreme step, per the latest reports. Although ICC continues to recognise SLC president Shammi Silva, who is currently in India and also part of the Friday meeting, he is likely to attend the scheduled board meeting after the World Cup 2023. Meanwhile, SLC is the second Full Member to face suspension by the ICC in the past four years, after Zimbabwe Cricket suffered the same fate in 2019 for similar reasons. Although unlike in Zimbabwe, where all cricket activities abruptly got shut down, with ICC freezing the funding, the cricket’s governing body will treat Sri Lanka’s case a bit more carefully.

ICC suspends Sri Lanka Cricket with immediate effect over excessive government interference

Ahead of Monday’s World Cup 2023 fixture in Delhi between two Asian giants, Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe suspended the Cricket Board over allegations of widespread corruption within the board and the team’s dismal show in the ongoing tournament. Ranasinghe appointed a seven-member interim committee to run operations and handpicked CWC-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga as the head. The committee would include a former Supreme Court judge and an ex-board president.

The developments unfolded after the resignation of the SLC board’s second-highest officer, Secretary Mohan de Silva, on Sunday.

After a humiliating loss&nbsp;to India by 302 runs at the Wankhede in Mumbai, there was a public outcry in Sri Lanka on Saturday, with the ministry deploying police personnel to curb protests outside of the cricket board office in Colombo.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/world-cup-i-dont-taky-my-fielding-for-granted-i-never-relax-jadeja-after-eden-heroics-against-proteas-655623">World Cup - I don't take my fielding for granted, I never relax: Jadeja after Eden heroics against Proteas</a>

Upset over the functioning of the board and the team's performance on the field, Ranasinghe publicly expressed his displeasure, accusing board members of lacking morality and ethical right to remain in office. The Sports Minister also labelled the officials as ‘traitorous and corrupt’.

Ranasinghe also wrote to the full members of the International Cricket Council (ICC), seeking support and understanding, considering ICC’s regulations against political interference in cricket.

"Sri Lanka Cricket has been besieged with complaints of player disciplinary issues, management corruption, financial misconduct, and match-fixing allegations," Ranasinghe stated in the letters, which were released to Sri Lankan media.

Upon getting elected as the new head of the interim seven-member committee, Arjuna Ranatunga will oversee day-to-day activities unless a new panel is formed.

Earlier, Prasanna Ranatunga, Arjuna’s brother, had previously stated in the parliament that the 1996 World Cup win was a ‘curse for our cricket.’ He attributed the infusion of money into their cricket board after the win as a major factor that attracted individuals with intentions to engage in corrupt practices.

<h2>Sri Lanka staring at a World Cup exit&nbsp;</h2>

Having won just two out of seven contested matches in World Cup 2023, Sri Lanka find themselves in the bottom half of the points table with a possible exit even if they win their remaining two games.

A shocking Asia Cup repeat display against India at the Wankhede stunned the cricket world and the Sri Lankan fans, who were seeking respite after going through the nightmare in Colombo a few weeks ago.

Ahead of Monday’s World Cup 2023 fixture in Delhi between two Asian giants, Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe suspended the Cricket Board over allegations of widespread corruption within the board and the team’s dismal show in the ongoing tournament.

Ahead of Monday’s World Cup 2023 fixture in Delhi between two Asian giants, Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe suspended the Cricket Board over allegations of widespread corruption within the board and the team’s dismal show in the ongoing tournament. Ranasinghe appointed a seven-member interim committee to run operations and handpicked CWC-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga as the head. The committee would include a former Supreme Court judge and an ex-board president. The developments unfolded after the resignation of the SLC board’s second-highest officer, Secretary Mohan de Silva, on Sunday. After a humiliating loss to India by 302 runs at the Wankhede in Mumbai, there was a public outcry in Sri Lanka on Saturday, with the ministry deploying police personnel to curb protests outside of the cricket board office in Colombo. ALSO READ: World Cup - I don't take my fielding for granted, I never relax: Jadeja after Eden heroics against Proteas Upset over the functioning of the board and the team's performance on the field, Ranasinghe publicly expressed his displeasure, accusing board members of lacking morality and ethical right to remain in office. The Sports Minister also labelled the officials as ‘traitorous and corrupt’. Ranasinghe also wrote to the full members of the International Cricket Council (ICC), seeking support and understanding, considering ICC’s regulations against political interference in cricket. "Sri Lanka Cricket has been besieged with complaints of player disciplinary issues, management corruption, financial misconduct, and match-fixing allegations," Ranasinghe stated in the letters, which were released to Sri Lankan media. Upon getting elected as the new head of the interim seven-member committee, Arjuna Ranatunga will oversee day-to-day activities unless a new panel is formed. Earlier, Prasanna Ranatunga, Arjuna’s brother, had previously stated in the parliament that the 1996 World Cup win was a ‘curse for our cricket.’ He attributed the infusion of money into their cricket board after the win as a major factor that attracted individuals with intentions to engage in corrupt practices. Sri Lanka staring at a World Cup exit Having won just two out of seven contested matches in World Cup 2023, Sri Lanka find themselves in the bottom half of the points table with a possible exit even if they win their remaining two games. A shocking Asia Cup repeat display against India at the Wankhede stunned the cricket world and the Sri Lankan fans, who were seeking respite after going through the nightmare in Colombo a few weeks ago.

SL veteran to chair interim committee after ministry suspends cricket board over dismal World Cup show

Sri Lanka Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne has offered to resign from his post following the Ireland Tests, while the board is yet to accept his resignation. Karunaratne, 34, has led Sri Lanka in 26 Tests so far and with the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle looming, he wants someone else to take over the reins and build his team moving forward.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka-Ireland Test series do not&nbsp;fall under the latest WTC cycle that ended&nbsp;with the final Test between New Zealand and Lanka in Wellington on Monday.

Being in charge of the side from the past four years, Karunaratne said instead of him doing half the job and then handing over the captaincy to a new player somewhere mid-way into the next WTC cycle, he would do it before the start of it.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wpl-2023-deandra-dottin-lashes-out-at-gujarat-giants-over-exclusion-saga-issues-official-statement-573902">WPL 2023: Deandra Dottin lashes out at Gujarat Giants over exclusion saga, issues official statement</a>

"I've talked with the selectors about stepping down as captain after the Ireland series. In the next WTC cycle, you've got to do two years. I think it's best if a new captain does that whole cycle than for me to do half and hand over. I've talked to the selectors about this, but I haven't got a response yet. My preference is to hand over to a new leader after the next series," Karunaratne said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

The left-handed batter also made it to the ICC Test Team of the Year 2022 for his stunning performance at the top of the order – having scored 902 runs from seven matches at an average of 69.38.

Earlier, while he had scored a hundred against India in Bangalore in the Pink-ball Test, his best achievement as a captain came during his maiden Test series in South Africa in 2019, where he led his team to a 2-0 win – something that outside of Australia and England, none of the teams have managed to achieve.

Meanwhile, following a long hiatus, Karunaratne returned to playing Tests for Sri Lanka during the recently-concluded two-match Test series against New Zealand. While his team suffered beating in both games, he scored three fifties in four innings.

Karunaratne, who will be turning 35 in April, has ten wins and as many losses with six draws as a captain in Tests. His next assignment will be the Ireland series which starts on April 16th in Galle.

Sri Lanka Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne has offered to resign from his post following the Ireland Tests, while the board is yet to accept his resignation. Karunaratne, 34, has led Sri Lanka in 26 Tests so far and with the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle looming, he wants someone else to take over the reins and build his team moving forward.

Sri Lanka Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne has offered to resign from his post following the Ireland Tests, while the board is yet to accept his resignation. Karunaratne, 34, has led Sri Lanka in 26 Tests so far and with the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle looming, he wants someone else to take over the reins and build his team moving forward. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka-Ireland Test series do not fall under the latest WTC cycle that ended with the final Test between New Zealand and Lanka in Wellington on Monday. Being in charge of the side from the past four years, Karunaratne said instead of him doing half the job and then handing over the captaincy to a new player somewhere mid-way into the next WTC cycle, he would do it before the start of it. ALSO READ: WPL 2023: Deandra Dottin lashes out at Gujarat Giants over exclusion saga, issues official statement "I've talked with the selectors about stepping down as captain after the Ireland series. In the next WTC cycle, you've got to do two years. I think it's best if a new captain does that whole cycle than for me to do half and hand over. I've talked to the selectors about this, but I haven't got a response yet. My preference is to hand over to a new leader after the next series," Karunaratne said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. The left-handed batter also made it to the ICC Test Team of the Year 2022 for his stunning performance at the top of the order – having scored 902 runs from seven matches at an average of 69.38. Earlier, while he had scored a hundred against India in Bangalore in the Pink-ball Test, his best achievement as a captain came during his maiden Test series in South Africa in 2019, where he led his team to a 2-0 win – something that outside of Australia and England, none of the teams have managed to achieve. Meanwhile, following a long hiatus, Karunaratne returned to playing Tests for Sri Lanka during the recently-concluded two-match Test series against New Zealand. While his team suffered beating in both games, he scored three fifties in four innings. Karunaratne, who will be turning 35 in April, has ten wins and as many losses with six draws as a captain in Tests. His next assignment will be the Ireland series which starts on April 16th in Galle.

Sri Lanka Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne offers to resign from post after Ireland Tests, board yet to respond