The battle beyond the boundary line
Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe’s sacking was met with mixed reactions. On one hand, President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s action is crticised as a sign of ‘growing authoritarianism’. On the other hand, he is being praised for taking measures against a Minister who allegedly interfered in the affairs of an independent sports body, prompting international suspension and a loss of Sri Lanka’s rights to host the U-19 World Cup.
President Wickremesinghe’s office later issued a statement saying Ranasinghe was removed due to ‘ a breakdown in the relationship of trust and confidence’ between the Executive and the Minister.
Whatever the reason, his sacking put an end to hostilities between the Ministry of Sports and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), which had been escalating for months. Sri Lanka can now request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to lift its suspension.
The ICC, however, needs a firm commitment from the Government that it would respect the autonomy of its member, SLC. And the gazette appointing an interim committee must be withdrawn. There have been no assurances-- or action-- to this effect, yet. The matter is currently in Court with the SLC having challenged the former Minister’s decision to sack its Board.
May 2022: After SLC decided to move the Asia Cup to the UAE, Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe and National Sports Council Chairman Arjuna Ranatunga criticised the decision, claiming that SLC did not do enough to keep the tournament here. SLC said the reason for shifting it was the economic crisis.
October 2022: Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup participation was surrounded by controversy after the SLC sent a busload of officials to Australia without the Sports Minister’s approval. Several disciplinary issues, including an alleged incident involving cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka, surfaced.
November 2022: The Sports Minister appointed a 5-member committee, led by retired Supreme Court Judge Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena, to investigate incidents involving the Sri Lankan cricket team during the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.
December 2022: The Sports Minister introduced new sports regulations, including age and term limits, to prevent SLC officials from standing for re-election. Those holding ministerial positions were also prohibited from contesting any post in a sports body.
January 2023: The Kusala Sarojini investigation report was handed over to the Minister of Sports. It highlighted the misappropriation of SLC funds, the negative impact of social media on players, player indiscipline, and the influence of religious cults on the national team. Recommendations included tough action against those involved in embezzlement and against cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka for bringing disrepute to the sport and the country.
January 2023: The report was submitted to the AG’s department for a legal opinion. The Ministry of Sports was advised to conduct a comprehensive audit before pressing for legal action.
February 2023: The Sports Minister directed the Auditor General to conduct a comprehensive audit on SLC expenditure at the T20 World Cup.
February 2023: SLC challenged the new regulations through a Writ Application in the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal ordered to stay the operation of the regulations made applicable to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) until June 22, 2023.
May 2023: SLC held its annual general meeting (AGM), where Shammi Silva and the rest were re-elected.
July 2023: A draft audit report of the SLC was leaked to the media revealing misappropriation of funds for personal gain as well as procedural errors. It showed that SLC spent Rs.68,237,263 on a ‘luxury holiday’ for 14 Executive Committee members to watch cricket in Australia. This included business class travel for office bearers, economy class tickets for other members, and per diems of US$700 per day for up to 10 days. The audit also questioned the remittance of US$20,000 to an Australian account to sponsor five over-50 cricketers for the Sri Lanka Over- 50s Cricket Tournament in 2022; failure to follow procurement guidelines in ticket purchases; issuance of visa support letters to non- SLC individuals; and spending over Rs.5.5mn to send four journalists to cover the Cricket World Cup. Shammi Silva denied any wrongdoing and offered to resign if the allegations were proved.
July/ August 2023: The Sports Minister refused to attend the opening or closing ceremony of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) as SLC did not seek his permission to conduct the tournament. However, President Ranil Wickremesinghe attended the closing ceremony.
October 2023: The Sports Minister publicly exposed the salaries of coaching staff and demanded the resignation of cricket selectors following a humiliating 302-run World Cup loss to India.
November 3, 2023: Following Sri Lanka’s routing by India, the Sports Minister publicly asked the SLC and the national selectors to resign, threatening them with tough action in the event of non-compliance.
November 6, 2023: The Sports Minister sacked Shammi Silva and the Board and appointed an interim committee headed by Arjuna Ranatunga.
November 7, 2023: Appeal Court suspended the Sports Minister’s gazette. The Minister claimed SLC is run by robbers and told parliament that President Ranil Wickremesinghe wanted him to withdraw the gazette appointing the interim committee. A cabinet sub- committee headed by Foreign Minister Ali Sabry was appointed to examine the current situation and work in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, alongside input from esteemed former cricketers.
November 9, 2023: After a full day of debate, parliament unanimously passed a resolution to remove the SLC Executive Committee on allegations of financial mismanagement.
November 10, 2023: ICC suspended SLC, citing a serious breach of its obligations as a member in failing to manage its affairs autonomously and without government interference.
November 14, 2023: SLC was grilled by COPE.
November 17, 2023: COPE Chairman Prof. Ranjith Bandara was accused of conflict of interest and COPE sessions were suspended.
November 21, 2023: ICC shifted the U-19 World Cup from Sri Lanka to South Africa. The suspension continues but allows Sri Lanka to play both bilateral cricket and have ICC and ACC-organised tournaments.
November 22, 2022: The Sports Minister moved a motion in Courts to get SLC’s Writ application dismissed.
November 27, 2023: President sacked Roshan Ranasinghe as Sports Minister and appointed Harin Fernando.