Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Chairman Eran Wickramaratne has questioned the International Cricket Council’s approach to political involvement in cricket administration, saying the global governing body must understand the circumstances behind Sri Lanka’s ongoing reforms.
Speaking during the Ada Derana 360 programme hosted by Kalindu Karunaratne, Wickramaratne was questioned over whether provisions in the proposed new Sri Lanka Cricket legislation allowing the Sports Minister to intervene in certain circumstances could be viewed by the ICC as government interference.
“The ICC must understand this properly as well,” Wickramaratne said, arguing that the proposed law clearly sets out and limits the circumstances under which such powers could be exercised.
He said the minister already possesses powers under the existing system, but the proposed legislation would establish a clearer procedure governing their use.
“We have clearly defined it. We have limited it. This has to happen according to this process,” he said.
Wickramaratne was then asked specifically whether he believed the ICC had been wrong to suspend Sri Lanka Cricket in 2023 after the then Sports Minister intervened in the administration of the governing body.
“Even today there are politicians in some countries,” Wickramaratne responded.
“Let’s speak directly,” he added, before defending the approach being taken under the proposed reforms.
The ICC suspended Sri Lanka Cricket in November 2023, saying SLC was in serious breach of its obligations as a member, particularly the requirement to manage its affairs autonomously and ensure there was no government interference in its governance, regulation or administration.
Wickramaratne said the new framework should provide greater transparency over any future intervention.
“We are not doing anything secretly,” he said. “We have made it clear.”
He said the ICC should welcome a system in which the circumstances and procedures governing intervention are expressly set out in law.
“The International Cricket Council should also be happy about this,” he said.
Under provisions discussed during the interview, Sri Lanka Cricket would be required to submit an annual report to Parliament within six months of the end of each financial year, accompanied by the required financial documentation and an Auditor General’s report.
Wickramaratne said this would bring Sri Lanka Cricket under a stronger accountability framework, including annual auditing and accountability to Parliament.
The programme also discussed provisions under which the Sports Minister could act against individual directors or the board following a prescribed investigation and audit process.
The issue was raised against the backdrop of the 2023 dispute, when the then Sports Minister moved to replace the SLC administration with an interim committee following concerns raised over cricket administration. The ICC subsequently suspended SLC over government interference.
Wickramaratne maintained that the proposed framework was different because the law would clearly establish the process that must be followed.
“There is a law now. We have made it clear and we have limited it. This must happen according to this system,” he said.
The discussion also turned to the Transformation Committee’s current relationship with the ICC and the fact that it is not treated as an elected SLC administration for representation at ICC board level.
Wickramaratne said the ICC was expecting Sri Lanka to establish a proper constitution and subsequently appoint an administration under that framework.
“They expect us to establish a proper constitution and appoint the committee according to that constitution,” he said.
“We also want to do it quickly.”
Asked whether a specific timeline had been agreed with the ICC, Wickramaratne said: “No, there is nothing like that.”
He said the Transformation Committee had been established because problems existed within Sri Lankan cricket and maintained that those serving on it had come forward to correct those issues.
“There is a problem in Sri Lanka. That is why this Transformation Committee has been appointed,” he said.
“All these people have come here to correct what was wrong. The ICC must understand that too.”
Wickramaratne also rejected any suggestion that the Transformation Committee was operating without transparency.
“This is not a Transformation Committee doing things in hiding. We are not doing anything secretly,” he said.
The Transformation Committee has previously said its reform programme is focused on governance reforms, on-field excellence and managing Sri Lanka Cricket until an elected administration is established.
It has completed a draft new constitution and submitted it to the government, with the proposed framework intended to introduce greater transparency, accountability and governance safeguards.
An ICC delegation also held discussions with the Transformation Committee earlier this year as the international governing body engaged with Sri Lanka over the changes.
Asked at the end of the interview about the transition to a new administration once the legislation becomes law, Wickramaratne indicated that he expected it to happen significantly sooner than the maximum six-month period contemplated under the proposed framework.
“Oh, it will be much quicker than that,” Wickramaratne said. (Newswire)