Sri Lankan government expresses REGRET over Arjuna Ranatunga’s remark of Jay Shah “ruining” Sri Lanka Cricket

Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando also revealed that President Ranil Wickremesinghe initiated talks with Jay Shah regarding the future of SLC.

Sri Lankan government expresses REGRET over Arjuna Ranatunga’s remark of Jay Shah “ruining” Sri Lanka Cricket

Ranil Wickremesinghe, Jay Shah, Arjuna Ranatunga (Images via X, Hindu)

The Sri Lankan government has issued a formal apology to Jay Shah, the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga allegations against Shah, accusing him of ruining Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC). During the parliamentary session on Friday (November 17), ministers Harin Fernando (Minister of Tourism) and Kanchana Wjiesekara (Minister of Power and Energy) conveyed their apologies.

In his statement, Ranatunga said that the connection between SLC officials and Shah makes them think they can control and trample SLC. He accused the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) secretary of pressurizing and “ruining” SLC, saying Shah is only powerful due to his father Amit Shah who is India’s home minister. However, the Sri Lankan government rubbished Ranatunga’s bizarre remark, saying it cannot blame others because of their inability to stabilize SLC.

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We as a government express our regret to the Asian Cricket Council Chief 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 during a parliamentary session.

Harin Fernando said President Ranil Wickremesinghe spoke to Jay Shah

Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando also revealed that President Ranil Wickremesinghe initiated talks with Jay Shah regarding the future of SLC. Notably, after the government’s interference in SLC, the International Cricket Council (ICC) imposed a ban on SLC.

Jay Shah
Sri Lanka players (Image via ABP)

After Sri Lanka’s poor performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe sacked SLC and appointed Arjuna Ranatunga as the leader of the interim committee. However, their Court of Appeal rejected the appeal. Despite the SLC being restored after the court’s decision, the ICC declared an immediate ban due to the government’s extensive involvement.

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