Sri Lanka cricket selection changes face fresh controversy as Harin Fernando alleges illegal appointments without proper nominations.
Sri Lanka cricket selection changes are illegal, former Sports Minister Harin Fernando has claimed, warning of deeper politicization in cricket administration.
Fernando said the recent changes made to the Sri Lanka Cricket national selection committee raise serious concerns over legality, process, and political interference.
He pointed out that the newly appointed “Cricket Transformation Committee” should have focused on broad structural reforms.
Instead, he said its first major move appears to have been changing members of the selection committee.
The former Minister alleged that the proper procedure required when appointing a selection committee had not been followed.
He said no call for nominations had been made for the relevant positions.
Fernando argued that any transformation expected within Sri Lanka Cricket should have centered on good governance reforms.
He warned that interfering with the selection process in this manner could have serious consequences for the sport.
He also questioned whether the new appointments had been made on merit or because of personal relationships with members of the Transformation Committee.
“In an environment where even India is appointing young former players to selection committees, we have now appointed players who played in the 1980s,” Harin Fernando said.
He stressed that Sri Lanka needs selection committee members who properly understand modern cricket.
That includes current first-class cricket, player standards, social media pressure, and the commercial environment surrounding the game.
Fernando also recalled that during his tenure as Minister of Sports, he appointed Upul Tharanga as Chairman of the Selection Committee.
He said the purpose was to bring a younger cricketing approach and a new vision to the country.
“Instead of real transformation, this seems to be turning into a political exercise,” he further said.
