Sri Lanka bow to ICC ban on government interference

Sri Lanka said on Thursday it would fall in line with anInternational Cricket Council (ICC) directive aimed at banning governmentinterference in national cricket boards.

 

Sports minister Mahindananda aAluthgamage said an electionwould be held in January for the Sri Lanka Cricket Board which, for the pastseven years, has been appointed by the government.

 

�We will abide by ICC rules,� Aluthgamage said.

 

The governing body, holding its annual meeting in Hong Kong,announced a ban on countries making political appointments to national boards,vowing to free the sport from undue government influence.

 

As well as Sri Lanka, the reform, which allows the ICC tosuspend a member country for non-compliance, will impact Pakistan andBangladesh.

 

In Pakistan, the president is the national cricket board�spatron.

 

All member boards have been given until the next ICC meetingin June 2012 to implement the new ruling and a further 12 months - to June 2013- before any sanctions will be considered, Times of India reports.