November 24, 2023
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has filed a defamation lawsuit against the country's Sports Minister, Roshan Ranasinghe, for making "damaging defamatory statements" against the board. SLC is seeking damages amounting to 2.4 billion rupees (roughly US$7.4 million).
The lawsuit comes amid a long-running power struggle between SLC and the government. Ranasinghe had previously sacked the SLC management committee and appointed an interim committee, led by legendary captain Arjuna Ranatunga. This led to the ICC suspending Sri Lanka from membership for government interference.
SLC has accused Ranasinghe of making "baseless and malicious" allegations against the board, including claims of corruption and mismanagement. The board has also said that Ranasinghe's statements have damaged its reputation and integrity.
Ranasinghe has defended his actions, saying that he is only trying to clean up Sri Lankan cricket. He has also accused SLC of being corrupt and incompetent.
The defamation case is expected to go to court in early 2024. It is the latest development in a saga that has caused a great deal of uncertainty and instability in Sri Lankan cricket.
