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SL will lose USD 50mn if ICC suspension continues – Shammi Silva

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President of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Shammi Silva has warned that in the event the International Cricket Council (ICC) does not lift the ongoing suspension against the country’s membership, the country stands to lose 50 millions of US Dollars.

Speaking at a press conference held this afternoon (11 Nov.), Silva explained that it was after several discussions and deliberations that the ICC allowed the island nation to host both the U19 Cricket World Cup and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the ICC in 2024, and the Women’s World Cup later in 2027. He further revealed that measures were also underway to co-host the T20 World Cup in 2026 together with India.

The SLC President explained that in order for these tournaments, along with the AGM, to take place as scheduled, ICC required a certain level of ‘assurance’ that the government of Sri Lanka would support these endeavours.

“They don’t have that confidence anymore. The AGM has already been cancelled, and I don’t know what will happen to the U19 World Cup”, Shammi Silva said, explaining that an ICC official who was on the island to discuss matters in this regard, had left this morning.

Thereby, he warned that Sri Lanka is on the verge of losing USD 50 million, in the event the ICC suspension continues.

Speaking further on the suspension imposed by the ICC on Sri Lanka with immediate effect on Friday (10 Nov.), Shammi Silva, together with the other SLC officials present at today’s briefing, revealed that the suspension, despite Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe’s claims, was not, in fact, a shock.

Silva noted that the ICC initially notified SLC of a possible suspension in July this year, following ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khwaja’s visit in May, subsequent to which discussions were held between the relevant parties, and the matter had been resolved to a certain extent.

“But how are we supposed to work with people like this?”, the SLC President said in reference to Minister Ranasinghe, adding that there was a high level of unnecessary interference, politicization and corruption.

Silva alleged that Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe was the reason behind the drastic downfall of not only cricket , but of sports as a whole in Sri Lanka, alleging that “one man is destroying everything”. He highlighted that the during Ranasinghe’s tenure, Sri Lanka has been banned in the international arena for football, rugby and cricket.

“Nothing can be done. We cannot develop sports with a minister like this, his powers need to be curtailed”, Silva asserted, urging that President Ranil Wickremesinghe should intervene in the ordeal.

SLC found itself under fire after several back and forth allegations concerning fund transfers and other nefarious activities, following which the ICC, on Friday night, suspended Sri Lanka’s membership, with immediate effect, on account of the cricket governing body having been 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.

(adaderana)

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Committee to probe irregularities at Sri Lankan Airlines 

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President Anura Kumara Disanayake has instructed relevant authorities to establish a committee under the Presidential Secretariat to investigate allegations of corruption and mismanagement at SriLankan Airlines. 

The directive was issued during a four-hour meeting held today (May 20) at the Presidential Secretariat, attended by the airline’s Board of Directors and representatives from all affiliated trade unions.  

The discussions aimed to secure the collective commitment of stakeholders to uphold the government’s decision to retain state ownership of the airline, eliminate losses and steer it toward recovery. President Disanayake stressed that rebuilding SriLankan Airlines would be impossible without unified efforts, adding that the institution must develop its internal capacity to rebuild itself.  

Asserting the government’s role as the political authority, the President reiterated its commitment to making “all necessary sacrifices” to rescue Sri Lanka from its economic crisis. He emphasised that reviving the national carrier is the shared responsibility of its entire workforce.  

Highlighting the allocation of Rs. 20 billion from the budget for SriLankan Airlines, the President underscored the need for stringent fiscal accountability, noting that these funds, drawn from public taxes, must be utilised efficiently. He also welcomed the “positive trend” of April’s operational revenue surpassing targets.  

New proposals have been presented by the Board of Directors to transform SriLankan Airlines, which operates under government ownership, into a profitable entity. In line with these proposals, the trade union representatives who participated in the discussions stated before the President that they would extend their full support to achieving these goals. 

Key Attendees at the meeting included: Mr. Sarath Ganegoda, Chairman of SriLankan Airlines and members of the Board of Directors, representatives from trade unions, including: Flight Attendants’ Union (FAU), the Airline Pilots’ Guild of Sri Lanka (ALPGSL), the Association of Licensed Aircraft Engineers (ALAE), the SriLankan Airlines Aircraft Technicians’ Association (SLAATA), and the Sri Lanka Nidhahas Sewaka Sangamaya (SLNSS), the Inter-Company Employees’ Union (ICEU) and the SriLankan Airlines Executive Association (EASLA). 

(President’s Media Division)

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Several new appointments made

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Several new appointments have been made by Anura Kumara Disanayake.

Accordingly, the appointments made are as follows : 

Chief Innovation Officer of National Innovation Agency – Dr. Muditha Darshana Senarath Yapa Appointed 

New Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries – Dr. Kolitha Kamal Jinadasa

Secretary to the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment – Sampath Manthrinayake

Chief Secretary of the Northern Province – Ms. Thanuja Murugesan

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Dy. Prime Minister of New Zealand to visit SL

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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand Winston Peters will be undertaking a visit to Sri Lanka from May 24 – 28, 2025.

During this visit, the Deputy Prime Minister is expected to pay courtesy calls on President Anura Kumara Disanayaka and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, and hold bilateral discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism H.M. Vijitha Herath, aimed at enhancing cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, agriculture, education, connectivity, tourism and sports. Deputy Prime Minister Peters is also expected to have several private sector and media engagements during the visit.

The Deputy Prime Minister will be accompanied by three senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand.

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