NEW DELHI: Sports Minister Harin Fernando of Sri Lanka issued a challenge on Monday to those who have criticized the national cricket team's alleged visit to a night club.
He demanded that the critics provide evidence that the purported outing was responsible for the team's early elimination from the ongoing T20 World Cup being held in the Americas.
Sri Lanka was unable to advance to the Super 8s stage of the tournament, as they finished in third place in Group D. South Africa and Bangladesh, the other two teams in the group, managed to qualify for the next round.
"I challenged them (critics) to prove it, and I will resign if they can prove it," PTI quoted Fernando as saying referring to a comment reportedly made by his predecessor.
The team has been accused of arriving late to a practice session, allegedly due to a late night out.
In November 2023, Fernando assumed the role of minister, succeeding Roshan Ranasinghe. Ranasinghe had been dismissed from his position by President Ranil Wickremesinghe after he took action to remove the Sri Lanka Cricket management and appoint an interim committee in their place.
As a result of government interference, the International Cricket Council suspended Sri Lanka's membership.
Fernando stated that the cricket governing body had provided all necessary facilities to the players.
Sri Lanka, the 2014 champions, have struggled in the current World Cup, suffering defeats against South Africa and Bangladesh. Their match against Nepal was abandoned due to rain, and their sole victory came against the Netherlands.
