By: Staff Writer
June 30, Colombo (LNW): A sweeping effort to transform the governance of Sri Lanka Cricket is approaching its final hurdle, with a new constitution expected to be presented to Parliament after receiving its final legal refinements. The proposed reforms promise to align Sri Lanka’s cricket administration with international best practices while dismantling a system widely criticised for decades.
The government-appointed Transformation Committee says it has completed the draft constitution within seven weeks, marking one of the fastest governance reform exercises undertaken in Sri Lankan sport. Committee members insist their role concludes once the draft enters the parliamentary process, leaving lawmakers to determine its final form.
Committee legal adviser Dinal Philips disclosed that the constitution has already attracted positive international attention. According to him, ICC President Jay Shah welcomed the rapid progress made by the committee, while former ICC legal expert David Becker reviewed the proposed framework and endorsed its compliance with international governance principles.
The endorsement is significant because Sri Lanka Cricket has often faced criticism over governance issues, political interference and repeated conflicts surrounding board elections. Aligning the country’s administrative framework with those of established cricket nations could strengthen its standing within the global cricket community.
Although committee officials have declined to publicly disclose the complete contents of the draft, informed sources suggest that one of its most important reforms will be the creation of a mixed Board of Governors or Directors. Unlike previous administrations dominated by elected officials, the proposed structure would include experienced corporate professionals appointed on merit alongside elected representatives from the cricket fraternity.
Supporters believe this balance could introduce greater financial discipline, stronger corporate governance and independent oversight while reducing the influence of factional politics that has frequently disrupted cricket administration.
Perhaps the most ambitious objective is eliminating the culture of vote-buying that has repeatedly tainted elections within Sri Lanka Cricket. Successive administrations have faced allegations that expensive election campaigns encouraged financial inducements and political alliances rather than genuine reforms. The new governance model aims to remove many of those opportunities by reshaping how the board is constituted.
Transformation Committee Chairman Eran Wickremaratne said the committee’s principal responsibility had been to prepare the constitution rather than debate its political implications. Once submitted to the Legal Draftsman’s Department, the legislation is expected to move through Parliament in the coming weeks.
Committee Secretary Prakash Schaffter said consultations with stakeholders had been an important component of the drafting process. He noted that the committee had sought to accommodate concerns from across Sri Lanka Cricket while ensuring the reforms remained consistent with international governance standards.
If Parliament approves the legislation, Sri Lanka Cricket could enter a new era of administration built on accountability, professionalism and transparency. Whether those ambitions translate into lasting institutional change will depend not only on the new constitution itself but also on the willingness of future administrators to uphold the principles it seeks to establish.