Signs that Sri Lanka Cricket elections will be held early next year!
Sri Lanka CricketNews article
Sri Lanka Cricket's Technical Committee Chairman Mr Eran Wickramaratne says he is confident that the groundwork needed to hold elections at the institution again can be put in place within the first few months of 2027. He also expects that the process relating to the new constitution, which aims to introduce structural changes to the administration of Sri Lanka Cricket, can be completed before the end of this year.
He further noted that if the process concludes as planned, it can be expected that within the first few months of 2027 the elections of the institution can be held again and the necessary groundwork will be in place to restore Sri Lanka Cricket's normal operations within the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The committee chairman expressed the above views at the media briefing on Sri Lanka Cricket administration held once a month by the Technical Committee, at the Sri Lanka Cricket headquarters this afternoon (27th). On that occasion, seated on either side of Mr Eran Wickramaratne were two former cricketers and current members of the Technical Committee, Messrs Sidath Wettimuny and Roshan Mahanama.
Sri Lanka Cricket's voting rights within the International Cricket Council are currently suspended. The reason for this is that the ICC regarded the appointment of the Technical Committee to Sri Lanka Cricket as government interference in cricket administration. In the face of this situation, Sri Lanka also lost the opportunity to host next year's Women's Champions Cup tournament.
The proposed Sri Lanka Cricket bill is expected to introduce a number of significant changes to the institution's governance structure and operational processes. Accordingly, it has been proposed to establish a governing board comprising 14 members, of whom seven will be elected by the member associations of Sri Lanka Cricket, while the other seven will be appointed as independent directors. At least two women must be included among the independent directors.
A key objective of these reforms is to secure the independence of Sri Lanka Cricket. Sri Lanka Cricket currently operates under the Sports Act of 1973, and certain of its administrative matters are carried out subject to the government's regulatory framework. The proposed new bill seeks to remove Sri Lanka Cricket from among the institutions governed under that act and to establish a more independent legal framework for the governance of the sport of cricket.
"We believe this process will be completed within about another month. However, it also depends on the timetable of parliamentary business. But we expect that by the end of this year the new constitution for Sri Lankan cricket will become law," Mr Wickramaratne said.
The bill was presented to parliament in late September and its first reading has also been completed. The petitions and submissions made regarding the bill have by now been considered by the Supreme Court.
"After the bill was presented to parliament, any citizen had the opportunity to challenge it before the courts within a period of two weeks. That period has now ended. Petitions and submissions have been made in this regard. We expect the Supreme Court to deliver its decision this week. Thereafter, we expect the bill to be presented to parliament again next week," he further said.
Mr Wickramaratne also pointed out that since a bill must conform to the Constitution when it is passed, in certain instances a majority greater than a simple majority, or a referendum, may be required. He said that if such a requirement arises, they are ready to consider the relevant amendments positively.
"This process is not being carried out for the personal interest of any individual. We see this as a reform that can bring benefits to Sri Lankan cricket and to the country," he said.
Since the Technical Committee was appointed by the current government itself, and the government also holds a two-thirds majority in parliament, it is expected that the forthcoming parliamentary business on the bill can be completed relatively easily.
Mr Wickramaratne said that three weeks after the bill is presented to parliament, the debate for the second reading can be called and a vote held. However, after the new constitution becomes law, it will take a few more weeks for the elected officials and the appointed independent directors to be installed in accordance with the relevant processes.
With the proposed bill becoming law, changes are expected in Sri Lanka Cricket's governance structure, voting methods and operational processes. The aim is thereby to secure the independence of cricket administration while establishing a clearer and more formal legal basis for the institution's governance activities.
Based on Sri Lanka Cricket reporting