Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) Board lifted the suspension of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) with immediate effect.
“SLC was suspended in November for being in serious breach of its obligations as an ICC Member, in particular, the requirement to manage its affairs autonomously and ensure that there is no government interference in the governance, regulation and / or administration of cricket in Sri Lanka,” read the ICC statement.
“The Board have been monitoring the situation since the suspension and are now satisfied that SLC are no longer in breach of membership obligations.”
The ICC suspended Sri Lanka in November last year citing political interference.
There were turmoil brewing in Sri Lankan cricket over the performance of the national team in the ODI World Cup. Sri Lanka finished ninth on the points table, meaning they do not qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Sri Lankan Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe had sacked the SLC management and appointed former World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga as the head of a seven-member interim committee to govern the cricket board. However, that was overturned by the Court of Appeal.
Later in the week, the Sri Lankan parliament had unanimously passed a resolution demanding the sacking of SLC. Parties from both sides of the aisle had supported it.
That resolution, passed by Sri Lankan parliament, seems to have irked ICC.
The suspension meant Sri Lanka losing the right to host the ongoing U-19 World Cup.
ICC CEO Geoff Allardice visited Colombo early this month and met both Wickremesinghe and Fernando.
The government said it was working on a new sports act which would not allow political interference in sports administration.
Agencies

KR Desk