The Sri Lankan government expressed its disappointment and regret while conveying its apologies to BCCI (The Board of Control for Cricket in India) Secretary and ACC (Asian Cricket Council) Chairman Jay Shah over insensible remarks made by former captain Arjuna Ranatunga.

Notably, ex-Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga, who led the team to the World Cup title in 1996, made a ridiculous statement where he blamed Jay Shah as a responsible person for the decline of Sri Lanka Cricket.

"Because of the connection between SLC officials and Jay Shah, they (the BCCI) are under the impression that they can trample and control SLC. Jay Shah is running the Sri Lanka Cricket. SLC is being ruined because of pressure from Jay Shah. One man in India is ruining Sri Lankan cricket. He is only powerful because of his father, who is India’s home Minister," Ranatunga had said.

 

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During a parliamentary session on Friday, Ministers Harin Fernando and Kanchana Wijesekara added their voices on the issue while issuing the clarification.

They claimed that the Sri Lankan administrators should be held responsible for their own shortcomings rather than blaming any other country.

"We as a government express our regret to the Asian Cricket Council Cheif Jay Shah. We cannot point our hands at the Asian Cricket Council Secretary or other countries for the shortcomings of our institutions. It is a wrong assumption," Minister Wijesekera said.

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Sri Lanka had a horrible campaign in the ODI World Cup 2023 in India as they finished ninth in the standings with just two wins and four points under their belt.

Sri Lankan cricket suffered a major setback post-World Cup disappointment when they faced a suspension by ICC with an immediate effect for government interference.

Minister Harin Fernando cautioned that the ban imposed by ICC could have serious consequences on the game in their country, specially with the impact it can have on the under-19 Cricket World Cup which they are scheduled to host in January next year.

"If the ICC ban is not lifted, no one will visit Sri Lanka for the tournament. Sri Lanka will also not earn a single penny from the cricket tournament," he said.

The horrible outing of the Sri Lanka team in the ODI World Cup 2023 can be judged by the fact that they had no player other than Dilshan Mdushanka in the race for highest run-getter and top wicket-taker.

 

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Madushanka was the lone consistent performer for his team in the tournament as he took 21 wickets in nine wickets at an average of 25.00 and will surely be finishing in the top five wicket-takers.


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