ICC ban a betrayal of the nation: Sri Lanka Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe

Roshan Ranasinghe slams SLC for ICC ban bid, appoints interim committee. SLC suspends interim committee, accuses Ranasinghe of political interference. Court of Appeal to hear case on suspension. Ranasinghe attacks court for ignoring audit report. SLC sues Ranasinghe for defamation. Crisis in SL cricket after World Cup exit.

Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe on November 19 slammed Sri Lanka Cricket for bidding for a ban from the ICC, calling it a "big betrayal of the country".

Ranasinghe had appointed an interim committee after sacking the governing body headed by Shammi Silva following the national team's disastrous World Cup campaign.

"This is big betrayal of the country," said Ranasinghe after reading out correspondence with the ICC by Silva administration.

"They were doing so to selfishly hang on to positions after audit reports had highlighted their corrupt action." Ranasinghe had appointed legendary captain Arjuna Ranatunga as the head of the seven-member interim committee.

But the ICC then suspended SLC with immediate effect for government interference and Silva also managed to obtain a court order suspending the interim committee.

In response to a parliamentary speech by the main opposition leader Sajith Premadasa accusing SLC of promoting the ICC for a ban, SLC said Ranasinghe was politically interfering in its work and as a full member they were duty bound to adhere to the articles of association of the ICC.