Sri Lanka Sports Minister hints at revamp in SLC after poor T20WC show

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s dismal performance in the T20 World Cup might trigger an overhaul of the country’s cricket board with Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage saying on Thursday that an interim committee to “rebuild” the game is under consideration.

Sri Lanka were knocked out of the tournament after losing all their Super Eight games.

“Discussions are underway with the ICC (International Cricket Council) to hand over the administration of SLC (Sri Lanka Cricket) to an interim committee to rebuild the sport,” Gamage told reporters.The SLC headquarters saw a public protest last week demanding the resignation of the Silva administration.

The Minister said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is also involved in the ongoing talks with the ICC.

“We can’t risk having a ban again from the ICC so must do everything in concurrence with the ICC,” Gamage said referring to the past sanctions that the country has copped.The ICC had also shifted the 2025 Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka to South Africa, citing government interference in the functioning of the sport.

Sri Lanka’s sports law of 1973 allows the Sports Minister to discipline sports bodies.

Gamage said the government was keen to rebuild the game to the pre-2014 levels when Sri Lanka was a top international performer.

The island nation was the 2014 T20 World Cup champion besides being a runner-up in two other previous editions.