A significant administrative change has taken place in Sri Lankan cricket following the resignation of the entire board led by Shammi Silva amid allegations of corruption and mismanagement. In response, the government has established a nine-member ‘Transformation Committee’, which includes former national captain and renowned cricketer Kumar Sangakkara.
The formation of the committee was announced on Wednesday after the government directed the existing board to step down. Alongside Sangakkara, the committee features former international cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Sidath Wettimuny. A substantial portion of the committee, however, comprises individuals from corporate, legal, and political backgrounds, reflecting a broader approach to institutional reform.
The committee is chaired by former Member of Parliament Eran Wickramaratne. A prominent figure in Sri Lanka’s main opposition party, Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Wickramaratne is also a businessman by profession. It is understood that he has stepped away from active political responsibilities in order to undertake this role. He is not currently serving as a Member of Parliament.
In a statement following his appointment, Wickramaratne described it as a privilege to lead a “highly competent and honest” group of nine members. He outlined two primary objectives for the Transformation Committee. The first is the comprehensive restructuring of the governance framework of Sri Lanka Cricket. This will centre on the implementation of a new constitution intended to provide a modern and robust administrative foundation for the sport.
The existing constitution of Sri Lanka Cricket has faced sustained criticism over several years. It has been alleged that it grants disproportionate authority to underperforming cricketing bodies, thereby contributing to systemic issues such as corruption, inefficiency, and poor governance. To address this, two legal professionals—Dinal Phillips and Upul Kumarapperuma—have been included in the committee and tasked with drafting the proposed new constitution.
The second key priority identified by Wickramaratne is achieving excellence on the field. He stated that the committee would focus on establishing an effective structure, enhancing world-class facilities, and developing an incentive model aimed at strengthening the national teams. He further noted that the overarching objective is to prepare players to consistently deliver performances at an international standard and to help Sri Lanka return to the top tier of global cricket rankings.
Sri Lanka Cricket has previously faced sanctions from the International Cricket Council due to government interference. Most recently, in 2023, the governing body suspended Sri Lanka’s membership citing concerns over political involvement in cricket administration. In light of this history, Wickramaratne has assured that the committee will operate in full compliance with ICC regulations, maintaining transparency and professionalism throughout its tenure.
No official timeline has been disclosed regarding the duration of the committee’s mandate.
Key Details of the Transformation Committee
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Committee Type | Transformation Committee |
| Total Members | 9 |
| Chairperson | Eran Wickramaratne |
| Notable Members | Kumar Sangakkara, Roshan Mahanama, Sidath Wettimuny |
| Primary Objective 1 | Reform governance and introduce new constitution |
| Primary Objective 2 | Improve on-field performance and infrastructure |
| Legal Experts | Dinal Phillips, Upul Kumarapperuma |
| Compliance Focus | Alignment with ICC regulations |
| Duration | Not announced |