ICC lifts the ban on Sri Lanka Cricket with immediate effect

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has lifted its ban on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) with immediate effect.

Even though the ICC has lifted the ban, Sri Lanka lost the hosting rights of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, which is now being currently played in South Africa.

ICC in a press release on Sunday stated, “On 10 November 2023, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was suspended for violation of responsibilities as an ICC Member, in particular, the requirement to manage its affairs autonomously and ensure that there is no government interference in the governance, regulation and/or administration of cricket in Sri Lanka.”

“The ICC Board met on 21 November and it was decided that Sri Lanka can 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, having initially been set to be played in Sri Lanka.

“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 press release concluded.

The international cricketing body in November 2023 banned Sri Lanka board amid serious breach of its obligations as a member, highlighting “the requirement to manage its affairs autonomously and to ensure that there is no government interference”.