ICC Lifts Suspension Of Sri Lanka Cricket With Immediate Effect

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday lifted the suspension imposed on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) with immediate effect. ICC released a statement to announce the uplifting of SLC's ban which read, "The International Cricket Council lifted the ban on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) today with immediate effect. The ICC Board has been monitoring the situation since the suspension and are now satisfied that SLC are no longer in breach of membership obligations."

The ban imposed by the ICC on Sri Lanka Cricket in November 2023 has been lifted.https://t.co/qDPp8I2CM6  ICC (@ICC) January 28, 2024

In November 2023, the ICC suspended the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board amidst political turmoil in Sri Lanka. The controversy arose when the Sri Lanka Sports Minister, Roshan Ranasinghe, introduced an interim committee led by Arjun Ranatunga, resulting in the suspension of the entire SLC board. This decision followed Sri Lanka's significant loss to India in the Cricket World Cup and an overall disappointing tournament performance, where they won only two out of nine matches and failed to secure a spot in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The ICC Board met on November 21 and decided that Sri Lanka could continue to compete internationally both in bilateral cricket and ICC events. But, the ongoing U19 men's Cricket World Cup was moved to South Africa, which was initially set to be played in Sri Lanka. ('Virat Kohli Has Never Been To NCA,' Rohit Sharma On Star Batter's Fitness)

Sri Lanka were allowed to play in international cricket following a "fervent appeal" from President Shammi Silva to the members of the International Cricket Council (ICC) board members to "carve out an exception" that allowed the nation to play international cricket despite getting suspended.

"However, pursuant to SLC President Shammi Silvas's fervent appen to the Members, the ICC Board has carved out an exception permitting Sri Lankans to compete internationally in bilateral and ICC events, despite the suspension," SLC release stated.

Since the suspension, Sri Lanka have hosted Zimbabwe for a white-ball series, earlier this year. (With ANI inputs)