Sri Lanka Cricket RTI status is now formally accepted after the current committee withdrew an appeal against the RTI Commission ruling.
Sri Lanka Cricket RTI status has now been formally accepted, removing a major obstacle that previously prevented the public from seeking information about the administration of the cricket body.
Sri Lanka Cricket has acknowledged that it falls within the scope of the Right to Information Act.
The previous administration had strongly resisted that position.
It repeatedly argued that Sri Lanka Cricket was not a “public authority” and therefore had no legal obligation to provide information requested by citizens.
However, the new Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee led by Eran Wickramaratne has changed that position.
The committee has now accepted that the institution should remain open to public scrutiny under the RTI Act.
Sri Lanka Cricket RTI Battle Began With Journalist’s Request
The legal dispute began after journalist Naushad Amit requested an investigation report concerning allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct involving players and officials connected with the Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Team.
Sri Lanka Cricket initially rejected the request, stating that the material contained “personal information.”
The Ministry of Sports later also refused access.
Naushad Amit then appealed to the Right to Information Commission.
During the proceedings, Sri Lanka Cricket, represented by a President’s Counsel, argued that it was a voluntary association rather than a government institution.
The RTI Commission rejected that argument.
In July 2024, the Commission ruled that Sri Lanka Cricket qualified as a “public authority” under the RTI Act.
The Commission based its decision on the fact that Sri Lanka Cricket is a national institution established under written law and represents Sri Lanka internationally.
RTI Commission Ordered Report Released
The Commission also concluded that releasing the information served the public interest.
However, it ordered that the names of complainants should be redacted to protect their privacy.
The RTI Commission therefore directed Sri Lanka Cricket to release the investigation report.
The previous cricket administration appealed that ruling before the Court of Appeal.
The current Transformation Committee has now withdrawn that appeal.
By doing so, it has officially accepted that Sri Lanka Cricket is subject to the Right to Information Act.
The move marks a significant change in the institution’s approach to transparency and public accountability.
Following the conclusion of the legal process, journalist Naushad Amit has now received a copy of the controversial investigation report he originally requested.
The Sri Lanka Cricket RTI decision therefore closes a long-running dispute over whether the public can use the country’s information law to examine the administration and affairs of the cricket body.
