'How can they condemn our country like this?' - Sri Lanka's sports minister reacts after ICC suspends their cricket board

Roshan Ranasinghe, Sri Lanka's sports minister, has questioned the ICC (International Cricket Council) after the cricket governing body suspended Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). The ICC's action was due to governmental interference.

Ranasinghe stated that the ICC's action was illegal and that the government would appeal to reverse it. He also stated that he would go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland if he failed to sort out the problem through the ICC's conflict resolution arm.

"This is not the way. When ICC or any other body apply a ban they have a long procedure .. but this was a surprise, and it is not ethical. How can they condemn our country like this?," Ranasinghe told reporters as quoted by India Today.

“First, we must have the charges and then an opportunity to respond. If we fail to get redress from the DRC, we will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland," he added.

On Friday, November 10, ICC suspended Sri Lanka Cricket with immediate effect on account of 'government interference'. Notably, the suspension came after Sri Lanka's last league stage clash in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The Kusal Mendis-led side suffered a five-wicket defeat during the game. 

With Sri Lanka ending their World Cup campaign on a sour note, the Sri Lankan parliament asked the SLC board to resign. Ranasinghe had further appointed an interim committee chaired by World Cup-winning former captain Arjuna Ranatunga, following the resignation of SLC secretary Mohan de Silva. Notably, the ministry also accused the board of corruption. Meanwhile, SLC officials, who had already dismissed corruption allegations, came in and stated that they would work with the sports minister to reverse the suspension.

The ICC had confirmed in a brief statement that it would decide the suspension conditions later. In addition, Sri Lanka is scheduled to host the U19 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in January 2024. However, the suspension might affect their chances to host the major event.