The political duplicity of the International Cricket Council (ICC) is destined to open an unprecedented debate in Sri Lanka and around the world following the ban imposed on the Sri Lanka team which has been further battered, first by its keepers Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and now by the global custodian of the once summer sport now in the hands of questionable people.
The ICC kept silent when the Taliban government in Afghanistan banned women’s cricket two years ago while it also gave the nod to South Africa and Pakistan to set up government sanctioned Interim Committees to run cricket.
On Thursday firebrand Opposition law maker Wimal Weerawansa, a one time schoolboy cricketer from the Kalutara district, alleged in Parliament that Sri Lankan cricket officials had sold their souls to the Indian cricket board which he said had clout in the affairs of SLC.
Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa and Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe said likewise but using different descriptions. The ICC in banning the Sri Lanka team said in a letter addressed to SLC president Shammi Silva that the Sri Lankan government had got in the way of relations between them (ICC) and SLC.
“The ICC Board met today (November 10) and determined that Sri Lanka Cricket is 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 statement said.
