All efforts made to get suspension on Sri Lanka Cricket lifted: Minister
Colombo (LNW): Comprehensive efforts will be undertaken both within and outside Parliament to have the suspension on Sri Lanka Cricket, imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), lifted, Urban Development and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga asserted.
The Minister emphasised that the government, under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, is actively engaging in negotiations with the International Cricket Council to revoke the ban on cricket.
He acknowledged the widespread acceptance among citizens that Sri Lanka Cricket has been marred by corruption.
Minister Prasanna Ranatunga highlighted the national significance of the issue, noting that all political parties and opposition groups in Parliament collaboratively passed a unanimous resolution to eradicate corruption within the Sri Lanka Cricket board. He emphasised that this collective action is not politically motivated.
Numerous international media outlets, including the Cricinfo website, reported that the International Cricket Council enforced the cricket ban on Sri Lanka following a request from Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva.
Minister Prasanna Ranatunga condemned Silva’s alleged request, asserting that Sri Lanka cricket belongs to the people and is not the personal property of any individual. He characterised such a request as a betrayal of the country, calling for immediate legal action by the relevant minister.
Expressing the need for unity among cricket enthusiasts to combat the corruption within the governing body, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga stated that the collective aspiration of every citizen and young cricketer in Sri Lanka is to reclaim the rightful place of cricket in the country. He assured that the government is persistently working towards achieving this goal.
