Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is targeting a new, parliament-approved constitution before the end of 2026, in a governance overhaul that could reshape how the country’s cricket board is run and provide a route towards restoring its voting rights at the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The proposed legislation would introduce a new Board structure, reduce government oversight and change how SLC officials are selected, according to a report by Cricinfo. If the reforms are enacted and implemented on schedule, elections could resume in early 2027, potentially allowing SLC to return to full participation in ICC decision-making.
The changes come at a significant cost to Sri Lanka’s international cricket interests. The ICC has suspended SLC’s voting rights after determining that the government-appointed Transformation Committee constitutes government interference in cricket administration. Sri Lanka has also lost the hosting rights for next year’s Women’s Champions Trophy following the committee’s appointment.
Proposed constitution would reshape SLC’s Board
At the centre of the reforms is a proposal to replace SLC’s existing governance arrangements with a 14-member Board comprising elected representatives and independent Directors.
Under the proposed model, seven Board members would be chosen by SLC’s membership, while the other seven would serve as independent Directors. At least two of those independent Directors would be women.
The changes would substantially alter the balance of representation within Sri Lanka Cricket, introducing independent oversight alongside officials elected by the organisation’s member body.
Another major element concerns SLC’s relationship with the government. The organisation currently operates under Sri Lanka’s 1973 Sports Law, which places aspects of its administration under government supervision.
The proposed Sri Lanka Cricket Bill would remove SLC from the scope of that legislation and establish a separate legal framework for the sport’s governing body.
That distinction is central to the proposed reforms because the ICC’s concerns relate specifically to government involvement in cricket administration.
ICC voting rights suspended despite assurances over funding
The governance transition has already affected SLC’s position within international cricket, with the ICC suspending its voting rights and removing Sri Lanka’s hosting rights for the upcoming Women’s Champions Trophy.
However, Eran Wickramaratne, Chairman of SLC’s Transformation Committee, has maintained that the international governing body recognises the committee’s reform efforts.
Addressing reporters, Wickramaratne said, “We have the support of the ICC in what we are doing, they can see that we are in a position of putting good governance in place.”
His comments reflect the committee’s position, while the suspension of voting rights remains an ICC action that has not yet been reversed.
The situation has also raised questions about whether the absence of regular SLC elections could disrupt financial distributions from the ICC.
Wickramaratne addressed those concerns, saying, “The methods have changed, but funds are coming.”
He did not provide further details about the revised funding arrangements.
The committee’s responsibilities extend beyond the receipt of ICC distributions to scrutiny of how SLC allocates its resources. Wickramaratne has identified expenditure oversight as an important part of the administration’s work.
He said, “We are focused on waste management to save every single rupee so that it could be put into schools, women’s and cricket in general.”
Parliament and Supreme Court hold key to reform timetable
The proposed legislation was introduced in Sri Lanka’s parliament in late September and has completed its first reading.
It has since entered a period of judicial scrutiny, during which citizens were entitled to challenge the Bill before the Supreme Court within two weeks of its introduction.
That period has concluded, with petitions and suggestions submitted for consideration. The Supreme Court’s determination is expected to guide the next stage of the legislative process before the Bill returns to parliament.
Wickramaratne outlined the committee’s anticipated timeframe, saying, “We think that the process should be concluded in approximately a month from now.”
The parliamentary schedule remains a factor in determining when the legislation can be passed.
“That also depends on the parliamentary calendar. But certainly, this year, we will see the new constitution being the law on Sri Lankan cricket,” Wickramaratne added.
The government holds a two-thirds majority in parliament, which could help the legislation progress through its remaining readings.
Once the judicial process is completed, the Bill can proceed towards its second reading and parliamentary debate, followed by a vote. The timetable outlined by Wickramaratne allows for a debate to be called three weeks after the relevant tabling stage.
Constitutional challenges could affect the final Bill
Although the government has the parliamentary numbers to support the proposed legislation, the Supreme Court’s review remains an important part of the process.
Depending on the Court’s findings, the Bill could require amendments, approval by a higher parliamentary majority or even a public referendum.
Wickramaratne said, “Sometimes when you produce a Bill, there is a question of whether or not it conforms to the constitution of Sri Lanka. There are times when the judiciary says this bill has to pass with more than just a simple majority, while they may also call for a referendum as part of the progress of this bill. If it turns out that more changes are required, we will look at that positively. None of this is happening because of personal requirements, but because we see this as something that will benefit cricket and the country.”
The final governance arrangements will therefore depend on the legislation that emerges from the judicial and parliamentary processes, rather than solely on the proposals currently before lawmakers.
SLC elections could return in early 2027
The Transformation Committee was appointed in April following the resignation of the elected SLC administration led by Shammi Silva.
Its principal mandate has been to develop a new constitution and governance framework, including changes intended to address concerns about vote-buying during SLC elections.
The proposed division between elected officials and independent Directors would be one of the most significant structural changes arising from that process.
Even if parliament approves the Bill before the end of 2026, the new arrangements will not become operational immediately.
Wickramaratne explained, “After that \[the Act\] will take several weeks to implement it, as elected officials have to come through a process. There are appointed officials that have to come through a process as well. That will take several weeks after the SLC constitution becomes law.”
The expected transition would involve both elections among SLC’s member organisations and the appointment of independent Directors under the new framework.
If those steps are completed in the early months of 2027, Sri Lanka Cricket could move towards restoring its full role at the ICC, although that outcome would depend on the international governing body’s assessment of the new arrangements.
For SLC, the next milestones are the Supreme Court’s determination, parliament’s consideration of the Bill and the subsequent formation of a Board under the new constitution. Together, those steps will determine whether the proposed governance overhaul can deliver the greater independence needed to resolve its current ICC difficulties.
