In a pivotal move aimed at addressing the ongoing crisis in Sri Lanka's beloved sport of cricket, a report by a committee led by Justice K.T. Chitrasiri has been formally handed over to the Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee tasked with resolving Sri Lanka Cricket issues, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry. This significant development occurred today on the instructions of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, marking a substantial step toward introducing a new Constitution for Sri Lanka Cricket through a parliamentary act.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been vocal in his belief that the current issues facing Sri Lanka's cricket administration necessitate a comprehensive and substantive approach rather than a temporary fix like appointing an interim committee. To address the intricate and profound challenges facing the sport, he sought the preparation of the "Chitrasiri Committee Report," which was presented to him last month. Originally, the plan was to present the report to Parliament after the conclusion of the 2023 Cricket World Cup and the presentation of the 2024 budget.
However, given the urgency of the situation, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has chosen to expedite the process. The proposed new draft constitution will be brought before the Cabinet sub-committee and subsequently discussed in Parliament, marking a significant step towards finding a lasting solution to the cricket administration crisis.
The proposed constitution outlines a comprehensive overhaul of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board's composition, administration, and management. It calls for the formation of a Board of Directors consisting of 18 members, each serving a 4-year term. These directors will have the authority to make policy decisions, with the power to implement these decisions vested in a Director-General appointed by the Board of Directors.
Of the 18 directors, eight will be appointed, with recommendations coming from an expert committee comprising six members. This committee will include representatives from key organizations, including the National Sports Council, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, the Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, the Institute of Directors of Sri Lanka, and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants Sri Lanka (CIMA Sri Lanka).
The remaining 10 board members will be chosen through official elections, representing various cricketing entities such as cricket clubs, the Players’ Association, the School Cricket Association, the Women’s Cricket Association, the Umpires’ Association, and the Coaches’ Association.
In addition to the changes in the board's composition, the proposed constitution introduces 12 dedicated committees focused on various aspects of cricket, each with specific mandates. These committees will address key aspects of cricket governance, including auditing, selection, anti-doping, and more.
