Resolution in Flux: Court of Appeal Halts Consideration of SLC Interim Committee Petition Following Gazette Withdrawal

In a legal twist, the Court of Appeal has abruptly halted proceedings on a petition filed by Sri Lanka Cricket Chairman Shammi Silva, challenging a gazette notification by former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe to establish an interim committee for Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). The termination of the petition occurred following the issuance of a new gazette notice by the current sports minister, correcting errors in the initial notification.

During the hearing before a Bench comprising Court of Appeal Judges Sobitha Rajakaruna and D.N. Samarakoon, President’s Counsel Kushan de Alwis highlighted that the new minister rectified mistakes in the original gazette notice (No 2356/43) through a new gazette issued on December 14. He emphasized that the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973, Sections 31 and 41, empowered the Minister of Sports to take such actions.

Romesh De Silva, PC, representing petitioner Shammi Silva, acknowledged the corrective measures taken by the new sports minister but expressed his intention to proceed with the petition. Despite the withdrawal of the initial gazette, he asserted that the legal challenge aimed to establish the former minister's action as illegal and unjust. President’s Counsel Uditha Igalahewa, representing former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, also reserved the right to submit a new petition if necessary.

In response to the submissions, the Bench, comprised of Judges Sobitha Rajakaruna and D.N. Samarakoon, decided to close the hearing of the petition. The abrupt turn of events leaves the fate of the SLC interim committee in uncertainty, with both parties reserving the right to revisit the legal arena if circumstances demand.

In a sudden legal development, the conclusion of proceedings surrounding the petition challenging the establishment of an interim committee for Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) brings an air of uncertainty to the resolution. The Court of Appeal's decision to terminate consideration follows the issuance of a corrected gazette notice by the current Sports Minister, rectifying errors in the original notification.

The legal maneuvering unfolded in a hearing before Judges Sobitha Rajakaruna and D.N. Samarakoon, with President’s Counsel Kushan de Alwis emphasizing the minister's authority under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973. Despite the correction, Romesh De Silva, PC, representing petitioner Shammi Silva, expressed his commitment to pursuing the petition, asserting its aim to declare the former minister's actions as illegal and unjust. Similarly, President’s Counsel Uditha Igalahewa, representing former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, reserved the right to submit a new petition if circumstances warranted.

With the Bench deciding to close the hearing, the fate of the SLC interim committee remains in limbo. The legal intricacies surrounding the gazette notification and the potential for future petitions inject an element of unpredictability into the resolution of this matter. As the legal landscape shifts, it leaves room for further legal challenges, emphasizing the complex and evolving nature of the dispute over the interim committee's establishment in Sri Lanka Cricket.