Sweeping Sri Lanka Cricket reforms to strengthen public trust and accountability
Sri Lanka CricketNews article
The Cricket Transformation Committee, which is in charge of the administration of Sri Lanka Cricket, is already implementing a series of reforms centred on rebuilding public trust, strengthening financial accountability and establishing a professional system of governance within the country's cricket administration, the committee's chairman, Mr Eran Wickramaratne, said today (30th).
Speaking at the media briefing held once a month by the Cricket Transformation Committee, the chairman pointed out that cricket does not belong to any individual or administrative body, but is a national resource that belongs to the public. Commenting further, he stressed that all parties must act in accordance with the law and the established regulations.
Mr Wickramaratne said changes are expected to be made to the senior management of Sri Lanka Cricket, and that under the proposed new administrative structure, the performance of employees will be examined through strict targets and an evaluation system.
Commenting further, Mr Wickramaratne said that the new administrative structure will introduce clearer responsibilities as well as key performance indicators (KPIs) for employees and senior management.
"Changes will happen because changes must happen," he said, adding that this transformation process will be challenging and that employees' performance will be assessed more closely in the course of it.
Committee member Mr Dinal Phillips said that interviews are to be held to select the most suitable people for various positions at Sri Lanka Cricket. He said that some appointments could be made on a contract basis depending on performance, and that all employees would be subject to a rigorous evaluation process.
Mr Phillips also said that under the proposed new structure, the responsibility for running the day-to-day administration of Sri Lanka Cricket will be vested in the Chief Executive Officer, while the board of directors is expected to focus its attention on policy-making and oversight.
He also pointed out that, as an institution worth around Rs. 16 billion, Sri Lanka Cricket requires stronger governance and oversight mechanisms.
The Sri Lanka Cricket Bill has been gazetted and is currently open for public comment and scrutiny. Committee members said that after approval by Parliament, the necessary regulations and rules must be drawn up in order to hold elections under the new structure, and that this process could take several months.
"We must create an independent and expert management. We take the policy decisions. At the same time, the management is built up independently. Through that, integrity and long-term sustainability can be ensured," he said.
Mr Wickramaratne said that by separating policy-making from the management of day-to-day operations, administrative integrity can be secured while supporting the long-term development of cricket, and that this is also in line with accepted principles of corporate governance.
He also stressed that strict financial oversight is necessary, as Sri Lanka Cricket is subject to national audit and financial regulations. He said that previously held views that cricket administration is exempt from transparency requirements, particularly the Right to Information Act, are not correct.
Under the proposed reforms, all bodies affiliated to Sri Lanka Cricket, including district associations, provincial associations and clubs, must also function in line with financial and governance regulations. Mr Wickramaratne stressed that no room will be left for financial or administrative irregularities.
The Transformation Committee has also identified the condition of the turf at grounds and the shortcomings in cricket infrastructure as areas needing urgent attention, in order to raise the competitiveness of Sri Lankan cricket at international level.
Sri Lanka Cricket is also working together with technical experts to strengthen its technical capabilities. Improvements to coach education, sports medicine and physiotherapy, sports psychology, as well as women's cricket development programmes, are also included in this programme of reforms.
Mr Wickramaratne also said that administrators and staff must understand that they are only temporary custodians of a national institution. He added that the ultimate aim is to establish a transparent, strong and world-class cricket system for the public.
"All of us who serve here are here only for a certain period. But the institution must continue to exist. Cricket must keep moving forward," he said further.
Based on Sri Lanka Cricket reporting