Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) bosses have jointly filed a defamation lawsuit against Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe seeking compensation/damages amounting to Rs 2.4 bn.

The following is the text of statement issued by SLC yesterday: “In response to the persistent and damaging defamatory statements made by the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Roshan Ranasinghe, Sri Lanka Cricket has taken a decisive step to protect its reputation and integrity.

“Therefore, on the 13th November 2023, the President, Vice President, and Treasurer of Sri Lanka Cricket jointly filed a defamation lawsuit in the District Court of Colombo, seeking damages amounting to Rs. 2.4 billion on behalf of the Sri Lanka Cricket. The continuous dissemination of false and harmful statements by the Minister of Sports has caused substantial harm to the image of Sri Lanka Cricket, both domestically and internationally.

“Sri Lanka Cricket, represented by its top leadership is committed to upholding transparency, accountability, and fair play in all its endeavours. The legal action aims to rectify the unwarranted damage inflicted on Sri Lanka Cricket’s standing in the sporting community.

“The Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket believes that this step is necessary to safeguard the reputation of the organization and its members.

“Sri Lanka Cricket remains focused on promoting the spirit of the game, fostering a positive environment for players, officials, and fans alike. The legal proceedings initiated against the Minister of Sports underscore the organization’s dedication to upholding its principles and protecting its stakeholders from baseless allegations. Sri Lanka Cricket will continue to prioritize the best interests of the sport and its supporters while navigating through these legal proceedings. Further updates on the case will be provided as the situation develops.”