Sri Lanka Cricket has undergone a significant administrative restructuring following the resignation of the entire board led by Shammi Silva amid allegations of corruption and mismanagement. In response, the Sri Lankan government has established a nine-member “Transformation Committee” to oversee governance reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), with former captain Kumar Sangakkara included among its members.
The new committee was announced on Wednesday after the government directed the Shammi Silva-led administration to step aside. Alongside Sangakkara, former Sri Lankan cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Sidath Wettimuny have also been appointed. However, the majority of the committee comprises individuals from corporate, legal and political backgrounds rather than former players.
Former Member of Parliament Eran Wickramaratne has been appointed chairman of the committee. Wickramaratne is a prominent politician associated with Sri Lanka’s main opposition party, Samagi Jana Balawegaya, and is also known as a businessman. It is understood that he stepped down from his party position to take on this role. He is not currently serving as a Member of Parliament.
Following his appointment, Wickramaratne issued a statement describing it as a privilege to lead what he called a highly capable and ethical nine-member panel. He outlined two primary objectives for the newly formed Transformation Committee.
According to Wickramaratne, the committee’s immediate priority is to comprehensively reform Sri Lanka Cricket’s governance structure. This process will be centred on implementing a new constitution designed to provide a stronger and more modern administrative foundation for the sport.
Sri Lanka Cricket’s current constitution has faced criticism for several years. Critics have argued that it grants disproportionate authority to underperforming cricket associations, creating an environment that has enabled corruption, inefficiency and administrative disorder within the board.
To address these issues, lawyers Dinal Phillips and Upul Kumarapperuma have been appointed to the committee and will be involved in drafting the proposed new constitution.
The committee’s second priority concerns on-field performance. Wickramaratne stated that the panel intends to focus on building an improved structural framework, world-class facilities and an incentive model aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s national teams.
He added that the broader objective is to develop players capable of delivering consistently high-level performances and helping Sri Lanka return to the top tier of international cricket rankings.
Key Details of the New Committee
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Committee Name | Transformation Committee |
| Number of Members | 9 |
| Chairman | Eran Wickramaratne |
| Notable Members | Kumar Sangakkara, Roshan Mahanama, Sidath Wettimuny |
| Governance Focus | Drafting and implementing a new constitution |
| Performance Focus | Facilities, incentives and national team development |
Government intervention in Sri Lanka Cricket has previously attracted international scrutiny. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken action against Sri Lanka in the past over political interference in cricket administration. Most recently, in 2023, Sri Lanka’s ICC membership was suspended following allegations of political involvement in board affairs.
Despite this background, Wickramaratne has assured stakeholders that the committee will operate in full compliance with ICC regulations while maintaining transparency and professionalism. No official announcement has yet been made regarding the duration of the committee’s mandate.