In a recent decision, the Court of Appeal has temporarily suspended the seven-member Interim Committee designated to oversee Sri Lanka Cricket. The Court also halted the respective gazette notification released by Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe.
This court order emerged following a writ petition filed by ousted Chairman of SLC, Shammi Silva. The Appeals Court President Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice Vikum Kaluarachchi delivered the order, issuing three stay orders. The first suspended the gazette notification, the second restrained the committee chaired by former National Captain Arjuna Ranatunga and others from functioning, and the third prevented any interference in the activities of the petitioner and other cricket board officials.
The Sports Minister appointed a seven-member Interim Committee, chaired by Arjuna Ranatunga, under the authority of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973. However, it was announced that President Ranil Wickremesinghe was not consulted regarding this decision. Minister Ranasinghe mentioned that presidential approval wasn’t necessary for the appointment of an interim committee.
The newly formed interim committee consists of retired Supreme Court Judges S. I. Imam and Rohini Marasinghe, retired High Court Judge Irangani Perera, Arjuna Ranatunga (Chairman), Upali Dharmadasa, Attorney-at-Law Rakitha Rajapakshe, and Hisham Jamaldeen.
Following the recent performance and defeats of the national team, the SLC and the Selection Committee faced criticism, particularly after a significant loss against India in the ongoing ICC World Cup. In response, the Cabinet of Ministers discussed the matter and decided to appoint a ministerial committee to examine the Gazette notification and oversee the future activities of Sri Lanka Cricket.
