Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has taken legal action against Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, citing “persistent and damaging” defamatory statements made against the cricket board.
In an official statement released on Wednesday (15), SLC expressed its strong response to the ongoing defamatory remarks by Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, stating that it has taken decisive measures to safeguard its reputation and integrity.
On November 13, 2023, the President, Vice President, and Treasurer of Sri Lanka Cricket jointly filed a defamation lawsuit in the District Court of Colombo, seeking damages amounting to Rs. 2.4 billion on behalf of the cricket board.
SLC emphasised that the continuous dissemination of false and harmful statements by the Sports Minister has significantly harmed the image of Sri Lanka Cricket, both domestically and internationally.
The cricket governing body, represented by its top leadership, reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability, and fair play in all its activities.
The legal action is aimed at addressing the unwarranted damage inflicted on Sri Lanka Cricket’s standing in the sporting community. The Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket views this step as essential to protect the organisation’s reputation and its members, while remaining focused on promoting the spirit of the game.
The legal proceedings against the Minister of Sports highlight the organisation’s dedication to upholding its principles and shielding its stakeholders from baseless allegations.
Sri Lanka Cricket affirmed that it will continue prioritising the best interests of the sport and its supporters throughout the legal proceedings. Updates on the case will be provided as the situation unfolds.
Minister Ranasinghe previously suspended the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), alleging corruption among its officials. An interim committee was appointed to administer Sri Lanka Cricket. The International Cricket Council (ICC) imposed an immediate ban on Sri Lanka cricket at the request of SLC officials. However, the country’s Appellate Court later stayed the Minister’s order and reinstated Sri Lanka Cricket.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed the Chairman of the Ministerial Sub-Committee for Cricket to lead efforts aimed at lifting the ban imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sri Lanka Cricket.
