Court suspends Sports Minister’s gazette

• Petitioner states that the Sports Minister has been antagonistic towards SLC from the time he assumed office as Minister 
• Says the Minister’s decision to appoint an interim committee is illegal, unlawful and of no force or avail in law   

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   
The Court of Appeal yesterday issued an interim order suspending the operation of the gazette notification issued by Sports Minister appointing an interim committee to Sri Lanka Cricket.   
The Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justices Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Chamath Morais made this order pursuant to a writ petition filed by SLC President Shammi Silva. This order will be effective till November 16.   
The petitioner had named Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, Chairman and Members of the interim committee to exercise the functions of Sri Lanka Cricket as respondents.   

 The SLC President states that he and other office bearers successfully contested and were elected to a two-year term by the membership of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on 20th May 2023. This was the second time the he was unanimously elected to this post.  
The Petitioner states that the Sports Minister has been antagonistic towards SLC from the time he assumed office as Minister and at all stages for the primary reason that the present office bearers of SLC are independent and acted only in the interests of Sri Lanka Cricket and withstood political interference.   
He states that the office bearers of SLC have no political affiliations and thus, SLC which from time to time has been known to have come under the control of various political personalities, was entirely free of political interference and influence under the present office-bearers.   
The Petitioner further stated that the Sports Minister also appointed a committee to draft a new constitution for SLC without consulting the members of Sri Lanka Cricket in any manner whatsoever.  

The petitioner further said the Minister has now purported to suspend the registration of Sri Lanka Cricket and appoint an interim committee to continue the functions of Sri Lanka Cricket.   
He further said the Minister’s decision to appoint an interim committee is illegal, unlawful and of no force or avail in law.   
The Petitioner states that grave and irreparable loss, harm and damage would be caused to Sri Lanka Cricket and its members in the event interim relief is not granted.  
The Petitioner states that there is a grave risk of Sri Lanka Cricket being suspended by the International Cricket Council and other sanctions.  
Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe appointed an Interim Committee comprising Arjuna Ranatunga,   
Justice S. I. Imam, Justice Rohini Marasinghe, High Court Judge Irangani Perera, Upali Dharmadasa, Rakitha Rajapakshe and Hisham Jamaldeen are to address the ongoing challenges within Sri Lanka Cricket.   
President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva with Ronald Perera PC instructed by Attorney-at-law Sanjaya Fonseka appeared for the petitioner.