Sri Lanka's Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe on Monday sacked the National Cricket Board after the humiliating defeat by India in the World Cup. Ranasinghe has been at odds with Sri Lanka Cricket for months over allegations of large-scale corruption. The country's 1996 World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga has been appointed chairman of the new interim board, Ranasinghe's office said in a statement. According to the statement, Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe has formed an interim committee for Sri Lanka Cricket.
The new seven-member panel also includes a retired Supreme Court judge and a former chairman of the board. The move comes a day after the board's second-highest official, Secretary Mohan de Silva, resigned. Ranasinghe had publicly demanded the resignation of the entire board following Sri Lanka's 302-run defeat to hosts India in the World Cup last week. Chasing India's target of 358 runs, Sri Lanka at one time lost six wickets for 14 runs and was reduced to 55 runs, which is the fourth-lowest score in the history of the World Cup.
The defeat sparked public anger and police have been deployed outside the board office in Colombo following protests on Saturday. Ranasinghe had said that Sri Lankan cricket officials have no moral or ethical right to continue in office. He said, 'Board officials should resign voluntarily. He had earlier accused the board of being traitors and corrupt. Sri Lanka has to play against Bangladesh on Monday and will need a miracle if they want to make it to the last four of the World Cup.
Ranasinghe had on Saturday written a letter to the full members of the International Cricket Council (ICC), seeking mutual understanding and support. In a letter issued to Sri Lankan media, Ranasinghe said, 'Sri Lanka cricket is surrounded by disciplinary issues of players, management corruption, financial misconduct and allegations of match-fixing. The sports minister was forced by the ICC to withdraw the three-member panel appointed last month to probe alleged corruption at the board as it was considered political interference.
The ICC had no immediate reaction to the latest move by Ranasinghe, who sacked the board elected in May, and chairman Shammi Silva, who is serving a third consecutive term. Sri Lanka has not won the World Cup since 1996 and Ranasinghe blamed the board for the poor standard. Prasanna Ranatunga, another cabinet minister, told Parliament in August that the 1996 victory was the biggest curse for our cricket.
He said, 'After 1996, money started coming into the cricket board, and with it came people who wanted to commit theft and corruption.' Former Sports Minister Harin Fernando introduced tough anti-corruption laws in 2019, saying the ICC considered Sri Lanka one of the most corrupt cricket nations in the world.
Also Read: IND vs SA: South African batsmen surrendered before Indian bowlers, made this shameful record in ODI
'Even if I resign, those people will have to sit there for 15 years', Amit Shah said- my statement on Ambedkar was distorted.
Home Minister Amit Shah fiercely targeted the Congress in a press conference on Wednesday. He said that till 1990, the Congress kept trying to ensure that BR Ambedkar did not get the Bharat Ratna.
Malik Mohammad Alam was furious at those who called Dhurandhar propaganda, saying, "They have blinders on their minds..."
Actor Gaurav Gera, who is mostly seen in comedic roles, was unrecognizable to many viewers when he appeared in the film Dhurandhar as Mohammad Alam, a juice shop owner in Pakistan. This different
The person who fired at Elvish Yadav's house was arrested in a police encounter. The accused was shot in the leg
The police have arrested the accused who opened fire at the Gurugram house of famous YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner Elvish Yadav. The Faridabad Crime Branch has arrested an accused named Ishant
Delhi Chunav 2025: Our MLAs raised the challenge for AAP candidates, tickets of more than 20 MLAs were cut
In Delhi Chunav 2025, the challenge is more on those seats where Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had cut the tickets of its MLAs and fielded new candidates due to fear of defeat. If we assess the atmosphere of
Nagpur Violence: 'Nagpur violence was well planned', CM Fadnavis said in the assembly - will not spare the culprits
Regarding Nagpur violence, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that it seems that this violence was planned. Speaking on the Nagpur issue in the Assembly, CM Fadnavis said that
Chhath Puja 2025: Vehicles will be prohibited from entering the city for Chhath Puja, and the road will be one-way; see the route chart here.
No fuel for old vehicles in Delhi: Police seized two bikes, teams deployed at petrol pumps; AAP's reaction
There is a ban on giving petrol and diesel to vehicles that have completed their age in the capital Delhi from today. Delhi Police has seized two end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) from a petrol pump. AI
Rules Change: From LPG, UPI to Railways, these major rules have changed from October 1
The month of October has begun today. The new month brings new changes. These changes directly impact your wallet and convenience. Whether it's UPI transactions, railway ticket bookings, or LPG
Lok Sabha Election 2024: In the first 'Ran', along with the candidates, voters will also be tested, Election Commission is on alert mode, and information is being collected from moment to moment.
Today the wait for voting in the great festival of democracy is over. Voting for the first phase has started today (Friday) for 102 Lok Sabha seats in 21 states and union
Jagannath Puri: After 46 years, the Ratna Bhandar of Mahaprabhu Jagannath will open today, the treasure will be shifted in the auspicious time
It is said that there are many rare gems in the inner treasury of Jagannath Mahaprabhu present in Puri Jagannath Dham. In ancient times, after conquering various states, precious gems, diamonds,
