Upul Tharanga named chairman as SLC announces new selection committee for Sri Lanka team

The new committee's tenure will be of two years.

By Jatin Sharma - 13 Dec, 2023

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has named a new selection panel, with former opener Upul Tharanga as chairman, on December 13, 2023. This comes after the turmoil in the last month and a half following their disappointing performance in the 2023 World Cup.

The Sri Lanka board is currently suspended by the ICC after the Sports Minister got involved in the selection issues as the national team struggled in the ICC event in India.

Ex-Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe had sacked the entire board and installed an ad-hoc committee to run the affairs of SLC under Arjuna Ranatunga.

However, the ruling was overturned in court on an appeal by Mohan de Silva, then the head of the SLC. However, more drama ensued when the President of Sri Lanka fired Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, who held opposing views to the President's. He had also refused to withdraw the board's dismissal.

In the most recent event, Sri Lanka's new sports minister, Harin Fernando, reversed the firing of the country's cricket body due to corruption charges. This was done in the expectation that the ICC would lift the suspension of the Sri Lanka cricket body.

Now, the SLC has appointed a new selection committee for the national men’s team with Upul Tharanga as the chairman. The committee also includes former Sri Lanka cricketers Ajantha Mendis, Indika De Saram, Tharanga Paranavitana, and Dilruwan Perera as members.

Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce a new ‘Cricket Selection Committee’ for a period of two years to select national teams. The appointment of the new committee, which comes into immediate effect, was made by the Honorable Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Harin Fernando,” SLC announced on X.

Their first task will be to pick the Sri Lanka squad for the Zimbabwe Tour of Sri Lanka in 2024.

By Jatin Sharma - 13 Dec, 2023

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