The feud between the Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) and the country’s Ministry of Sports has escalated after SLC media releases on November 24 accused the ministry of misleading the public over how funds for the board were spent and interfering in World Cup 2023 selection.
This development came after the ICC announced that it would allow Sri Lanka to continue playing international cricket while its ICC membership was suspended. In a media release, the SLC criticized the Sports Ministry for not approving the selection of Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmanta Chameera for the 2023 World Cup.
“Sri Lanka Cricket confirms that Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmanta Chameera are included in the 15-man squad selected by the Sri Lanka Cricket Selectors to participate in the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. I would like to reiterate that,” he said in a press release. . “This happened even though both players were recovering from injuries.
“Even though Sri Lanka Cricket intended to send Hasaranga and Chameera to the World Cup and had plans to play at some point in the tournament after the two recovered from their injuries, the Ministry of Sports “The two athletes were sent without medical approval.”
Hasaranga suffered a serious thigh injury before the tournament began, while Chamila sustained a chest injury. Upon selection, SLC said in a statement: “His (Hasaranga) recovery will be monitored and if declared fit to play, he will be considered as a replacement in case a member of the team is injured during the tournament.” said. “Long story short, he then underwent surgery in England.
Sri Lanka finished 9th in the 2023 World Cup and failed to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Days after being ejected from the tournament, they were suspended by her ICC for “serious breaches of their duties as members” related to government interference with the board.
In a separate SLC statement on Friday (November 24), the board accused the Ministry of Sports of misleading the public about the use of funds. The press release states: “Sri Lanka Cricket would like to point out that the Ministry of Sports has misled the public and Sri Lanka Cricket by providing confusing information about how R100 million was spent.” From SLC to National Sports Foundation His 289 million grant to.
“A comparison of the documents received by Sri Lanka Cricket from the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs under the Freedom of Information (RTI) Act and the Ministry’s media release informing how the funds will be used reveals stark differences.” / p>
“Analysis of the Ministry’s media release and documents received by the SLC shows that there are differences in the number of 33 items.”
Sri Lanka is still allowed to play international cricket, but its abolition has been overturned by the ICC, although the board remains suspended. As a result, the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup, which was scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka in January, was moved to South Africa. During the suspension, his funding to SLC will also be severely restricted.
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