Cabinet Sub-Committee recommends reinstallation of Technical Advisory Committee

• “SLC needs a constitution that does not give undue advantage to a group of people who have a stranglehold on the membership”

The four-member Cabinet Sub-Committee headed by Foreign Affairs Minister M.U.M. Ali Sabry apart from proposing significant overhaul of the existing constitution and administrative process of Sri Lanka Cricket, has recommended that the Technical Advisory Committee appointed by the then Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Namal Rajapaksa in 2020 be formalised and continue to advice the Minister of Sports and Sri Lanka Cricket on overall cricket-related decision-makings.

“We propose that the said Technical Advisory Committee comprises of 5 members who have played cricket at the highest level, representing Sri Lanka on the international stage, out of which at least one is a female,” states the 47-page ‘Report of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the issues currently faced by Sri Lanka Cricket’.

“This committee must be tasked with developing cricket strategy and overseeing their implementation in consultation with the Cricket Committee of SLC. Additionally, we propose that the Technical Advisory Committee chairman serve as an ex-officio member of SLC’s Executive Committee.”

The previous Technical Advisory Committee comprised Aravinda de Silva (Chairman), Mahela Jayawardene, Muttiah Muralitharan and Kumar Sangakkara and ceased to function after the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs was replaced.

The report calls for the existing constitutional composition and structure of SLC be reformed to ensure efficiency, transparency and good governance, and that funds are used for the development of cricket rather than for self-interest or favour. A new statute be adopted to replace SLC’s existing constitution thereby reducing the number of voting clubs from 147 to that of international standards using India, Australia and South Africa as models. As at present there is a disparity of voting power with Australia with a population of 25.69 million having only six votes, Pakistan with 231.4 million – 17, England with 59.59 million – 18, and India with 1.408 billion – 38. Sri Lanka with a population of 22.16 million has 147 votes. 

A clear time frame will be established for the introduction of the new law and elections held in compliance with it. In the event the current administration of SLC is unwilling or unable to cooperate with the proposals, the report recommends an interim committee be established to implement the process and reconstruct the SLC with the newly adopted legislation. The report discourages appointment of interim committees to administer cricket but to be used only as a last resort. 

On the question whether SLC is a private entity, the report says, “We firmly believe that the ownership of SLC rests with the citizens of Sri Lanka, and any funds that rightfully belong to SLC should be utilised for the improvement and advancement of cricket in Sri Lanka”.

“Their role is similar to that of trustees of a public trust, and they have fiduciary obligations to the citizens of Sri Lanka and to the stage mechanism responsible for managing public funds and property.”

The report recommends a constitution and composition of SLC that does not give an undue advantage to a group of people who have a stranglehold on the membership as it is currently constituted. Thereby, a new law be enacted with the goal of allowing eminent and competent people with impeccable track records to be part of the SLC administration. An SLC Executive Committee consisting of 18 members, 10 of whom are elected by the stakeholders and the remaining 8 consisting of representatives of professional bodies. 

The appointment of a Director of Cricket in charge of all matters including coaching, coordinating with selectors, provincial structure, women’s cricket, Under-19 and overall responsibility of carrying out plans developed by the Technical Advisory Committee in consultation with the Cricket Committee of SLC. 

The report calls for the revamping of the provincial cricket framework that was established some time ago to be strengthened and made a permanent fixture, whilst preserving and revitalizing club cricket with a lesser number of clubs playing in Division I and the rest relegated to Division 2 with consequences of promotion and demotion based on performances.

It is recommended that the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs obtains cooperation from the ICC for these improvements. “It is crucial to acknowledge that Sri Lanka plays cricket not due to the existence of the ICC, but rather the ICC exists because nations such as Sri Lanka play cricket with passion and commitment. Therefore it is imperative for the ICC to prioritise the welfare of cricket in Sri Lanka over the interests of a select few persons who have influence over SLC.”

The sports law and regulations be amended in accordance with the proposed changes to the SLC constitution.

The Cabinet Sub-Committee comprised MP M.U.M. Ali Sabry (Chairman), MP Kanchana Wijesekera, MP Manusha Nanayakkara and MP Tiran Alles. The drafting committee comprised Justice Chithrasiri, Harsha Amarasekara, Aritta Wickramanayake and Duminda Hulangamuwa.