Sri Lanka Cricket has announced a national squad for the first time without getting prior approval from the sports ministers, according to lankadeepa.lk.
The minister is yet to approve the 16-members for the ODI series against Afghanistan that begins in Pallekele today (25).
A top SLC official said their image would be harmed if a foreign team was turned back citing non-approval by the home team by the sports minister.
Yesterday afternoon, the sports secretary sanctioned the squad.
When contacted, minister Roshan Ranasinghe said he did not approve the squad as he could not take clear responsibility for the 16 players.
Since it would disrupt the series, he said, he instructed his secretary to approve the squad.
The SLC and the sports ministry are also in disagreement over the exclusion of Chamika Karunaratne from the squad, with SLC citing a lack of fitness and disciplinary issues for that.
The three-match series will be crucial to both teams as its result will impact the World Cup next year.
When contacted, minister Roshan Ranasinghe said he did not approve the squad as he could not take clear responsibility for the 16 players.
