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Sri Lankan Sports TV Files Complaint to Ministry of Education Over Ball Blaster 2024 Sponsorship Exclusion

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In a significant development, Sri Lankan Sports TV has officially lodged a complaint with the Secretary of the Ministry of Education, raising concerns over the abrupt removal of its sponsorship rights for the ongoing U20 Football Championship, popularly known as the Ball Blaster 2024. This decision came without prior notification to the management, who expressed both surprise and disappointment over the exclusion.

The Ministry’s Secretary acknowledged the complaint, informing Sri Lankan Sports TV management that several grievances have been filed recently against the School Football Association. These complaints, according to sources within the Ministry, have highlighted a pattern of alleged mismanagement and irregularities in handling sponsorships and event administration.

In response to these concerns, the Secretary confirmed that the matter will be directed to the Additional Secretary for an official inquiry. This investigation will consolidate the current complaint with previous reports, suggesting that a comprehensive review of the School Football Association’s practices may be forthcoming.

Sri Lankan Sports TV, a well-known supporter of youth football in Sri Lanka, has been actively involved in promoting grassroots sports across the island. The exclusion from the Ball Blaster 2024 sponsorship marks a notable setback for the network, which had invested considerable resources to cover and support the event.

Management representatives of Sri Lankan Sports TV stated, “Our commitment to developing youth sports is unwavering. We are disappointed by this unexplained decision, and we look forward to a transparent inquiry to address the issue.”

The football community and stakeholders alike will be closely watching the inquiry’s outcome, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes transparency and fair treatment for all involved parties in the promotion of youth sports in Sri Lanka.

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Cricket

New Sri Lanka Cricket Chiefs Promise Sweeping Reforms

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Sri Lanka Cricket’s interim administration has launched a major clean-up operation after uncovering what officials describe as extensive financial mismanagement within the governing body.

Speaking at his first press conference since taking charge last month, interim president Eran Wickramaratne announced that a forensic audit had been ordered to examine the organisation’s accounts in detail.

According to Wickramaratne, the scale of the suspected irregularities exceeded initial expectations, prompting urgent calls for structural reforms and tighter oversight within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

The current administration was appointed by the government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake following the resignation of the previous elected committee in April. The move sparked concerns over possible disciplinary action from the International Cricket Council (ICC), which prohibits political interference in cricket boards.

Sri Lanka Cricket had previously faced a two-month suspension from the ICC in 2023 under similar circumstances.

However, Wickramaratne said discussions with the global governing body had been positive and cooperative.

“Our engagement with the ICC has been constructive from the beginning,” he said. “We have kept the process transparent, and they have encouraged reforms carried out through proper and open procedures.”

The interim administration is now working on introducing a new constitution designed to strengthen governance and prevent individuals or groups from holding influence over the board for extended periods.

The resignation of former SLC president Shammi Silva and his committee cleared the way for the latest restructuring effort, which comes amid wider criticism over the board’s management and the national team’s recent performances.

Sri Lanka’s early exit from this year’s T20 World Cup jointly hosted with India intensified public frustration and added pressure for change within the country’s cricket establishment.

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Cricket

Kapila Wijegunawardene Replaces Pramodya as Sri Lanka Cricket Chief Selector

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Former Sri Lanka cricketer Kapila Wijegunawardene has been appointed as the new Chief Selector of Sri Lanka Cricket, replacing Pramodya Wickramasinghe at the head of the national selection panel.

The appointment was approved by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports following a request made by Sri Lanka Cricket on May 20, 2026.

Alongside Wijegunawardene, the newly named selection committee includes Amal Silva, Brendon Kuruppu, Varuna Waragoda, and Vanessa de Silva.

The new panel is expected to oversee national team selections and player evaluations across all formats as Sri Lanka prepares for a demanding international schedule in the coming months.

Cricket observers believe the inclusion of several experienced former players could bring renewed direction to the country’s selection process.

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Sanath Jayasuriya Steps Down from Sri Lanka Cricket High Performance Role

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Former Sri Lankan cricket legend and former head coach Sanath Jayasuriya has officially resigned from his position as Consultant to Sri Lanka Cricket’s High Performance Centre, with his resignation set to take effect at the end of this month.

In a letter addressed to the recently appointed Cricket Transformation Committee, Jayasuriya stated that he had become aware of concerns raised by several committee members regarding his dual roles within Sri Lankan cricket administration.

The concerns reportedly centered on his appointment to the High Performance Centre while simultaneously serving as President of the Matara District Cricket Association, which some believed could create a potential conflict of interest.

Jayasuriya noted that his decision to step down was made in the best interests of transparency and the future development of Sri Lankan cricket. He emphasized his continued commitment to supporting the sport and nurturing young talent despite leaving the consultancy role.

Widely regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketers, Jayasuriya has remained actively involved in cricket administration and player development since retiring from international cricket. His resignation comes at a time when Sri Lanka Cricket is undergoing significant structural reforms aimed at improving governance and performance standards.

Officials from Sri Lanka Cricket have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the resignation.

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