Former Sports Ministers Harin Fernando and Dayasiri Jayasekara have raised concerns over the recent changes to Sri Lanka Cricket’s national selection committee, claiming the move is illegal and risks further politicising cricket administration.
Fernando said the newly appointed Cricket Transformation Committee appeared to have made its first major move by changing the selectors, instead of focusing on wider structural reforms.
He said the proper process of appointing a selection committee had not been followed and alleged that no nominations had been called for the positions.
Fernando said the expected transformation in Sri Lanka Cricket should have focused on governance reforms, but warned that interference in the selection process could create serious consequences for the game.
He also questioned whether the new appointments were made on merit or due to personal links with members of the Transformation Committee.
“At a time when even India has appointed young former cricketers to selection committees, we have now appointed players who played in the 1980s,” Fernando said.
He said Sri Lanka needed selectors who understand modern cricket, including current first-class cricket, player standards, social media pressure, and the commercial environment surrounding the sport.
Fernando added that during his tenure as Sports Minister, Upul Tharanga had been appointed selection committee chairman with the intention of bringing in younger cricketing perspectives.
“Instead of a real transformation, this looks like it is becoming a political exercise,” Fernando said.
Former Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara also criticised the move, claiming Sri Lanka now effectively has “two selection committees” and accusing the government of politicising cricket.
Meanwhile, former selection committee chairman Pramodya Wickramasinghe has written seeking clarification over his removal, claiming he had not received any written communication regarding the decision.
The previous selection committee headed by Wickramasinghe was appointed in December 2025 by the Sports Ministry, with Indika de Saram, Tharanga Paranavitana, Vinothen John and Rasanjali de Alwis as members.
Sri Lanka Cricket is currently being overseen by a Cricket Transformation Committee headed by Eran Wickramaratne, following the resignation of the previous SLC office-bearers.
The new selection committee headed by Kapila Wijegunawardena was appointed yesterday. Brendon Kuruppu and Amal Silva were also named as selectors. All three had previously served on Sri Lanka’s selection committee in 2015. (Newswire)