Former cricketers, legal experts, and corporate leaders unite under Eran Wickramaratne to reform governance and restore on-field excellence

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In a major shake-up of Sri Lankan cricket administration, former captain Kumar Sangakkara has been appointed to a nine-member Transformation Committee tasked with running Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). The move follows the government’s decision to remove the previous office bearers amid growing criticism over governance and performance issues.

Joining Sangakkara on the committee are former Sri Lanka internationals Roshan Mahanama and Sidath Wettimuny, alongside professionals from corporate, legal, and political backgrounds. The committee is chaired by Eran Wickramaratne, a former Member of Parliament affiliated with the opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya, who reportedly stepped down from his political responsibilities to take up the role.

Wickramaratne outlined two primary objectives for the committee: revamping SLC’s governance structure and improving the national team’s on-field performance. A key focus will be drafting and implementing a modern constitution to replace the existing framework, which has long been criticised as outdated and prone to inefficiency, corruption, and mismanagement. Legal experts Dinal Phillips and Upul Kumarapperuma are expected to play crucial roles in this process.

“The cornerstone of this effort will be a new constitution that ensures transparency, accountability, and professionalism,” Wickramaratne stated. Alongside governance reforms, the committee aims to establish world-class infrastructure, better incentive systems, and stronger support structures to help Sri Lanka’s national teams regain competitiveness on the global stage.

The appointment comes amid scrutiny from the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has historically taken a strict stance on political interference in cricket administration. In 2023, the ICC suspended SLC over similar concerns, while in 2015, Sri Lanka faced sanctions including reduced board participation and financial restrictions after a government-appointed interim committee took charge.

Despite these sensitivities, Wickramaratne emphasized the committee’s commitment to full compliance with ICC regulations while embedding anti-corruption measures into the organization’s core.

The restructuring follows mounting public pressure on former SLC president Shammi Silva, particularly after Sri Lanka’s underwhelming performances in recent ICC tournaments, including the 2024 T20 World Cup. Silva’s repeated uncontested re-elections had drawn criticism as a symbol of deeper systemic issues within Sri Lankan cricket.

Among the committee members, Prakash Schaffter and Wettimuny bring prior administrative experience, while Avanthi Colombage, the sole female member, represents the corporate sector.

With sweeping reforms now underway, the Transformation Committee faces the dual challenge of rebuilding trust in governance and restoring Sri Lanka’s stature in international cricket.