In a significant development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the immediate suspension of Sri Lanka's membership, citing concerns over government interference in the administration of Sri Lanka Cricket. The decision was made public on Friday afternoon, sending shockwaves through the cricketing community.
A statement from the ICC explained the rationale behind the suspension: "The International Cricket Council board has suspended Sri Lanka Cricket’s membership of the ICC with immediate effect. The ICC board met today and determined that Sri Lanka Cricket is in serious breach of its obligations as a 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 statement further highlighted that the conditions of the suspension would be decided by the ICC board in due course, emphasizing the seriousness of the breach of obligations by Sri Lanka Cricket.
Sri Lanka's recent performance in the World Cup in India may have also played a role in the decision. The team managed to secure only two victories out of nine matches and currently occupies the second-bottom position in the table. With additional fixtures yet to be played, their chances of qualifying for the 2025 Champions Trophy seem increasingly unlikely.
The ICC board is scheduled to convene again on November 21, where further steps in the suspension process are anticipated to be confirmed.