The ICC made an announcement on Sunday, stating that they have lifted the ban on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) with immediate effect. Sri Lanka’s membership was suspended during the ICC World Cup 2023 in November due to government interference in board affairs.
According to a press release by the ICC, the ban on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has been lifted. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was suspended on 10 November 2023 for not managing its affairs independently and allowing government interference in cricket governance.
Although the ban has been lifted, SL has lost the hosting rights for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup. The ongoing tournament has been moved to South Africa instead of being played in Sri Lanka.
The ICC Board met on 21 November and decided that SL could resume international cricket, both bilateral matches and ICC events. However, the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup was relocated to South Africa. The ICC Board has been monitoring the situation since the suspension and is now satisfied that SLC is no longer breaching its membership obligations.
It’s important to note that in November, the ICC stated that the SLC was seriously breaching its obligations as a member by allowing government interference. The ban on Sri Lanka Cricket came just a day after the parliament asked the board to resign over allegations of misappropriating millions of dollars, as claimed by Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe.