Sri Lanka Cricket to be governed by 18-member Board of Directors

COLOMBO (PMD) - In a bid to address and resolve the ongoing crisis in Sri Lanka's popular sport of cricket, Sri Lanka Cricket is to be governed by a Board of Directors comprising 18 members.

The proposed changes were outlined in a report drafted by a committee headed by Justice K.T. Chitrasiri, which was formally handed over to the Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry, by President's Secretary Saman Ekanayake on Tuesday.

The new constitution was commissioned by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who believes that a mere interim committee will not be sufficient to tackle the complex issues plaguing Sri Lankan Cricket. To ensure a long-term solution and advancement of the sport, a permanent and substantive approach is needed.

The "Chitrasiri Committee Report," presented to President Wickremesinghe last month, was originally intended to be submitted to Parliament after the conclusion of the 2023 Cricket World Cup and the presentation of the 2024 budget. 

However, given the current circumstances, President Wickremesinghe has decided to expedite the process and submit the proposed draft constitution to the Cabinet sub-committee, with the intention of bringing it to the attention of Parliament.

The new draft constitution proposes a comprehensive overhaul of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board's membership, composition, administration and management. Under the proposed changes, a Board of Directors consisting of 18 members will govern the Sri Lanka Cricket Board. Each director will serve a four-year term and will have the authority to make policy decisions. The execution of these decisions will be the responsibility of a Director-General appointed by the Board of Directors.

Out of the 18 directors, 8 will be appointed, and the recommendation for their appointment will be made by an expert committee consisting of six members. This committee will include representatives from the National Sports Council, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, the Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, the Institute of Directors of Sri Lanka, and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants Sri Lanka (CIMA Sri Lanka).

The remaining 10 board members will be selected through an official election process. This process will see five directors representing cricket clubs, one representing the Players' Association, one representing the School Cricket Association, one representing the Women's Cricket Association, one representing the Umpires' Association, and one representing the Coaches' Association.

Furthermore, the proposed constitution suggests the establishment of 12 committees dedicated to various aspects of cricket. These committees include the Cricket Committee, Audit Committee, Related Party Transactions Committee, Nominations Committee, Selection Committee, Tournament Committee, Facilities Development Committee, Rules, Arbitration, and Disciplinary Committee, Investment Committee, Anti-Doping and Anti-Corruption Committee, and Remuneration Committee.

The proposed new Constitution will be tabled and discussed by the ruling party during the parliamentary debate, which will be held tomorrow. If approved, these changes are expected to bring a fresh start to Sri Lankan cricket, ensuring transparent governance, effective decision-making, and improved administration of the sport.