Dubai, UAE (October 30, 2024) –The International Cricket Council (ICC) has appointed Sumathi Dharmawardena P.C. as the new Independent Chair of its Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), effective November 1, 2024. Dharmawardena, a seasoned legal professional from Sri Lanka, will succeed Sir Ronnie Flanagan, who retired after 14 years of dedicated service in the role.
With an extensive background in legal and anti-corruption work, Dharmawardena has previously served as an Additional Solicitor General at the Attorney General’s Department of Sri Lanka, representing the Government and Ministry of Sport in various legal matters. His career also includes notable collaborations with global bodies such as Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, where he contributed to efforts in tackling corruption in sports. He played a key role in the development of Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Offences relating to Sports Act, aimed at enforcing anti-corruption measures in the sporting industry.
In his new role, Dharmawardena will oversee the ICC ACU’s efforts to protect the integrity of cricket on a global scale, ensuring that all anti-corruption protocols are effectively managed. He will work alongside the General Manager of Integrity, steering initiatives to combat match-fixing, betting fraud, and other illicit practices threatening the sport.
Dharmawardena’s appointment signals the ICC’s continued commitment to stringent anti-corruption policies, as the organization strives to preserve cricket’s integrity worldwide.
