President receives draft constitution for Sri Lanka Cricket

• Key recommendations included enhancing administration, training, and player well-being across national men’s and women’s teams
• Restructuring of Sri Lanka Cricket Institute’s composition and structure is also being prioritised

President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Saturday received the draft constitution for Sri Lanka Cricket recommended by a committee headed by retired Supreme Court Judge K.T. Chitrasiri.

The recommendations covered several key areas, including the composition and structure of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board, administration, training, and the overall well-being of players at various levels such as the national men’s and women’s teams, and the under-19 and under-17 age groups. Emphasis was placed on promoting good governance, transparency, professionalism, and accountability within Sri Lanka Cricket. Additionally, proposals were made to reform the nutritional framework of Sri Lankan cricket across school, district, provincial, and community levels, focusing on merit, equality, and fairness.

To address the challenges faced by Sri Lanka Cricket and provide appropriate recommendations, a Cabinet sub-committee was appointed on 6 November 2023. Chaired by Foreign Affairs Minister and President’s Counsel Ali Sabry, the sub-committee included Power and Energy Minister  Kanchana Wijesekera, Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, and Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles. Following extensive discussions with stakeholders involved in cricket, the sub-committee presented its report to the Cabinet on 8 January.

Based on the recommendations presented in the report by the Cabinet sub-committee, the Cabinet convened on 13 February, and appointed an expert committee to draft a new constitution for the Sri Lanka Cricket Board. This committee, chaired by retired Supreme Court Judge K.T. Chitrasiri, includes President’s Counsel Harsha Amarasekara, Attorney-at-Law Dr. Aritha Wickramanayake and Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce Chairman Duminda Hulangamuwa. Deputy Solicitor General Manohara Jayasinghe, representing the Legislative Department, and Shamila Krishanthi, Assistant Draftsman representing the Legal Draftsman’s Department and nominated by the Minister of Justice, were also included in the committee.

Additionally President’s Additional Secretary Loshini Peiris, was appointed by the President’s Secretary to serve as the Secretary/Convener of the committee.