The Sri Lankan government has temporarily taken control of the country's cricket board (SLC), citing the need for “structural reforms”. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced that all administrative functions of SLC would be brought under its purview effective immediately.

A committee will be appointed shortly to address ongoing issues and implement reforms, the ministry added. SLC, the wealthiest sports body in the nation, has long been plagued by allegations of corruption and mismanagement, leading to poor performance on the field.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended Sri Lanka for two months in 2023-2024, citing political interference in the board's affairs. Following the government's intervention, four-time SLC President Shammi Silva and his entire committee resigned on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka's national team made an early exit from the T20 World Cup, co-hosted with India in February-March, further fueling calls for reform. Critics argue that the government's move may violate ICC rules against political interference, potentially risking another suspension.

Source: www.aljazeera.com