Kumar Sangakkara Joins New SLC Transformation Committee to Overhaul Cricket Governance
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A New Era for Sri Lanka Cricket
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the sporting landscape, the Sri Lankan government has officially dissolved the previous office bearers of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). Replacing the old guard is a newly formed nine-member Transformation Committee tasked with the monumental challenge of restructuring the country’s cricketing governance from the ground up.
Perhaps the most striking feature of this new committee is the inclusion of legendary cricketer Kumar Sangakkara. Joining him are fellow cricketing icons Roshan Mahanama and Sidath Wettimuny, signaling a clear intent by the authorities to leverage the expertise of those who understand the game at its highest level.
Leadership and Objectives
The committee is chaired by Eran Wickramaratne, a former Member of Parliament and a prominent corporate figure. To ensure impartiality and focus on the task at hand, Wickramaratne has stepped down from his political roles within the Samagi Jana Balawegaya party. Describing his team as a collective of individuals with impeccable integrity, Wickramaratne has laid out a two-pronged strategy for the future of the sport.
The Governance Overhaul
The immediate priority for the committee is a complete overhaul of the SLC governance framework. For years, the SLC constitution has been heavily criticized for being archaic and inefficient, often centralizing power in a way that hindered growth. There have been persistent allegations that the existing framework allowed for mismanagement and corruption to thrive. With legal experts like Dinal Phillips and Upul Kumarapperuma on the committee, the drafting of a modern, robust constitution is expected to be a primary focus.
Striving for Excellence on the Field
Beyond the legal and administrative restructuring, the committee is committed to restoring Sri Lanka’s competitive edge. Wickramaratne emphasized the need for world-class facilities and incentive models to empower national teams. The ultimate goal is to move beyond the recent string of poor performances and elevate Sri Lanka back to the top tier of international rankings.
The intervention comes amidst a complex relationship with the International Cricket Council (ICC). While the ICC has previously taken a hard line against government interference—even suspending SLC in 2023—the committee is taking proactive steps to ensure absolute compliance with global standards. Wickramaratne has explicitly stated that transparency and anti-corruption measures will be embedded into the very DNA of the organization moving forward.
Meet the Committee
The committee brings together a diverse blend of skills, from cricket administration veterans to legal and corporate leaders:
- Eran Wickramaratne: Politics/Corporate (Chair)
- Kumar Sangakkara: Cricket/Business
- Roshan Mahanama: Cricket/Corporate
- Sidath Wettimuny: Cricket/Corporate
- Prakash Schaffter: Corporate/Cricket
- Avanthi Colombage: Corporate
- Thushira Radella: Corporate
- Upul Kumarapperuma: Law/Politics
- Dinal Phillips: Law
Public Pressure and the Road Ahead
The decision to overhaul the board comes after mounting public frustration, particularly following Sri Lanka’s underwhelming performance at the T20 Men’s World Cup. The fact that the previous leadership remained in power despite failing to make the knockouts in major ICC tournaments since 2014 had become a symbol of systemic dysfunction in the eyes of many fans. As this committee embarks on its mission, the eyes of the cricketing world—and the hope of the Sri Lankan public—are firmly fixed on the promise of a more transparent, professional, and successful future for the nation’s beloved sport.
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