Court of Appeal suspends Sport Minister’s regulations

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda  

The Court of Appeal yesterday issued an an interim order staying the operation of the regulations made applicable to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justice (President) Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice M.A.R. Marikkar made this order pursuant to a writ petition filed by SLC President Shammi Silva and its Secretary Mohan De Silva challenging the regulations promulgated by Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe. 

The Court of Appeal further issued an interim order  preventing Sports Minister, Sports Ministry Secretary and Director General of Sports Ministry from taking steps in terms of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973 to implement the impugned regulations until the final determination of this this petition.

The Court fixed the petition for argument on June 22.

The Petitioners alleged that the regulations promulgated by Sports Minister are illegal and unlawful in violation of the principles of natural justice and legitimate expectations of the Petitioners.

The Petitioners are of the view that the said regulations could interfere with the administration of cricket in operational matters, in the selection and management of teams, causing to completely alter the structure of SLC.
President's Counsel Romesh de Silva and Kuvera de Zoysa PC under the instructions of Attorney-at-law Sanjaya Fonseka appeared for the petitioners. Uditha Egalahewa PC appeared for the Sports Minister.