COLOMBO, May 22 (ePRESS) – Sri Lanka Cricket will undergo major reforms under a new Transformation Committee, with chairman Eran Wickramaratne declaring that “cricket belongs to the spectators of the country” and promising a transparent administration free from political influence during a press briefing held at Sri Lanka Cricket headquarters on Thursday.
Wickramaratne said the committee’s primary responsibility is to reform the structure of cricket administration and restore public confidence in the game through a modern constitution, stronger anti-corruption measures and better financial discipline.
“Cricket is not owned by a committee, a group of people or even the Government. Cricket belongs to the spectators of the country, and we are very concerned about that,” Wickramaratne said.
He stressed that all stakeholders, including cricketers, umpires, coaches, trainers, administrators, clerks and district and provincial associations, are being invited to contribute towards rebuilding the game.
“The Government or the Sports Minister will not influence us, and we will function with transparency,” he added.
According to Wickramaratne, the committee aims to create meaningful change from the constitution level down to the playing field while ensuring professionalism and accountability in every sector of the sport.
He revealed that a forensic audit of the accounts has already been ordered, saying that financial irregularities were “far greater than initially feared.”
The chairman also emphasised that every rupee should be spent for the advancement of cricket, especially for school and youth development, while improving infrastructure and women’s cricket across the country.
“There is no politics in our cricket and no room for caste, creed, race or class. This committee strongly upholds those principles,” he said.
Meanwhile, former Sri Lanka captain Sidath Wettimuny, who chairs the Cricket Committee, said the future success of Sri Lankan cricket depends on improving skills, fitness and mental strength together.
“We are trying to build a positive mindset among players,” Wettimuny said, revealing details of a discussion with former national coach Gary Kirsten.
“When I asked him what he thought about our cricket, he said Sri Lanka has plenty of talent, but players need stronger teamwork and unity to succeed. Our duty is to create a supportive system,” Wettimuny added.
He also highlighted weaknesses in coach education, umpiring, refereeing and pitch preparation, saying those sectors require urgent attention if Sri Lanka is to regain international success.
“One issue after 1996 was that cricket spread rapidly across the country, but coach development did not progress at the same pace,” he explained.
Wettimuny further stressed the need to produce quality wickets from school level and improve the standards of curators, umpires and referees to strengthen the entire cricket structure.
Transformation Committee Secretary Prakash Schaffter and committee members Dinal Phillips and Upul Kumarapperuma were also present at the media briefing.
