Following the withdrawal of two judges from the bench handling the petition against the Cricket Interim Control Committee, a new panel comprising Court of Appeal judges Samarakoon and Neil Iddawela has been appointed.
Earlier today (14), the presiding judge withdrew from the case, citing false accusations made by the sports minister and a group of ministers. This occurred after the sports minister objected to the case being heard before Judge Nishanka Bandula Karunaratne.
Subsequently, Sobitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola were called before a joint bench to address the petition. Judge Dhammika Ganepola also withdrew from the case, citing personal reasons.
As a result, the petition is set to be heard on the 16th before Judges Samarakoon and Neil Iddawela, following a referral to the presiding judge of the Court of Appeal for the appointment of a suitable panel.