As the current Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board prepares for an unopposed re-election on March 31, demands are mounting for the implementation of the Chitrasiri Committee’s recommendations to restructure cricket administration before moving forward with the elections.
The Chitrasiri Committee, chaired by retired Supreme Court judge K.T. Chitrasiri, drafted a new constitution for Sri Lanka Cricket, aiming to improve transparency and accountability in an organization long criticized for governance issues. However, these reforms remain unimplemented, drawing criticism from stakeholders and opposition members.
With the nomination period ending on January 22, Shammi Silva and his team are set to secure their fourth consecutive term without challenge. The only nomination rejected was from Daleepa Charles, representing the Galle Cricket Club, for the post of President.
Meanwhile, the Kalutara Physical Culture Circle, which recently lost its voting rights due to constitutional amendments, has filed an official complaint with the Sports Minister. The group alleges that the amendments violate the rights of members by restricting election eligibility to individuals who have served as executive members within the past 15 years. They have demanded that the elections be suspended until the Chitrasiri Committee’s constitutional reforms are implemented through Parliament.
The group also cited allegations of financial irregularities, including Sri Lanka Cricket’s failure to follow through on commitments made to the Chitrasiri Committee in the Court of Appeal and its lack of financial audits by the Auditor General. Further concerns include irregularities linked to the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, as highlighted in a letter dated November 7, 2023, by Additional Solicitor General Milinda Gunathilaka. The letter noted that the Sports Minister has the authority to investigate misconduct and irregularities in SLC’s financial operations.
Opposition MP Hesha Vitarana raised the issue in Parliament this week, urging the Sports Minister to prioritize implementing the Chitrasiri Committee’s constitutional reforms before proceeding with the election.
Former SLC Vice-President K. Mathivanan, Kalutara Physical Culture Circle Chairman Anura Weerasinghe, and Sudharman Priyakara Silva have also protested, alleging insufficient time for nomination submissions. Nominations were open for only five days, from January 17 to January 22. They have requested the Election Commission to cancel the current nominations and reopen the nomination process.
Despite these calls for reform, the accepted nomination list includes Shammi Silva, Jayantha Dharmadasa, Samantha Dodanwala, Ravin Wickramaratne, and others for various key positions, including Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer.
The growing pressure to address governance issues and financial irregularities has placed the Sports Ministry and SLC under intense scrutiny, with stakeholders demanding meaningful reforms to ensure accountability and fair representation in cricket administration.
