Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe says that the ban of the International Cricket Council (ICC) is illegal and he expects to take future decisions regarding Sri Lankan cricket according to the public’s opinion.
“The ICC has taken this decision in an arbitrary manner. We do not know on what basis this suspension was made. There is usually a lengthy procedure before a team can be suspended. It should be suspended with the decision taken in the annual general meeting where all the member countries vote on it. They have not followed that procedure and this suspension is not ethical.” The minister said.
The minister emphasized that all the cricket institutions across the country will be dissolved according to his powers and without that, the development of cricket cannot be done.
The Minister stated this in a special news conference called at the Ministry of Sports today (11) to inform about the future activities against the backdrop of the International Cricket Council’s decision to suspend Sri Lanka Cricket’s membership yesterday.
“No matter what we do, it’s useless if we don’t fix the base. Now the Kandy Cricket Office is a den of thieves. It is a thieves’ paradise. These have to be dispersed. All cricket institutions in Sri Lanka are dissolved according to my powers. No one who has held positions for more than four years can apply. The National Sports Appeal Committee here will expand and investigate corruption in Sri Lanka to improve cricket. Taking that, the Act has powers and rules to prevent from ruling in associations for life time. These people should not be able to apply to the sports associations; if not it is not possible to fix cricket.
Sri Lanka Cricket President has veto power. According to him, ICC cricket has been banned. Otherwise, there must be a great power behind him. When rugby was banned, they wrote to us. There must be morality. There is also sports politics. Now the Olympic Committee understands us and works with us. The team should not be responsible for cricket defeats. Let’s be optimistic. There are two ways. Mother Sri Lanka is placed on the wall and hung on a rope. Send me people’s opinion. It’s worth it to me. I look at them. They can let them continue. Or will you take this challenge and lift the ban and improve cricket? These are the only those two ways.
I work according to public opinion. The government is there to do the right thing. As long as the right thing is appreciated. Support is low at this time. Let’s look ahead. Not in the government but in certain places. The support of the legislature has been received completely, except for a few people. 210, 212 out of 225 support this. Someone has told something to the president. I will not give up my fight whether I am in the ministry or not. They hire private lawyers and file cases. We can tell by the sounds they make, it’s like a stick has gone under the bridge. This is a good drama. I see some people secretly take videos in some places. The last thing to say is that it is a country that sends a minister who did a job home while protecting a thief.” The minister also said.