The new Sri Lanka Cricket Bill is set to be presented in Parliament today

The new Sri Lanka Cricket Bill is set to be presented in Parliament today (October 6), paving the way for proposed reforms to cricket administration.

Under the Bill, Sri Lanka Cricket would be governed by a 14-member Board of Directors within a statutory framework covering the control, governance, regulation, promotion, development and administration of cricket.

The Bill was published in a Gazette supplement dated September 25, issued on September 28, following Cabinet approval.

Background

Cricket reforms have long been advocated by former players, administrators and observers, amid concerns over Sri Lanka’s on-field performance and persistent allegations of corruption, mismanagement and political interference in Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake even included reforming SLC as one of his election promises.

A significant step came on April 29 this year, when SLC President Shammi Silva and the organisation’s Executive Committee resigned.

Transformation committee

Following the mass resignation, Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage appointed a nine-member SLC Transformation Committee, led by former SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne.

Alongside acting as an interim administration until a new set of office bearers could be elected, the Committee was tasked with drawing up a new constitution for SLC.

The committee subsequently prepared a draft constitution, which it handed to the Minister on July 28.

Proposed reforms

Among the proposed changes is forming a 14-member board of directors comprising seven Independent Directors and seven Elected Directors.

The chairperson of SLC would be chosen from the Independent Directors, while the deputy chairperson will be an Elected Director.

The reforms also allow for greater ministerial oversight, including the authority to initiate audits and inquiries into credible allegations of wrongdoing.