A Bill creating a new statutory framework for the governance of Sri Lanka Cricket has been published in the Government Gazette, moving the long-signalled restructuring of the sport’s administration to its next formal stage.
The Sri Lanka Cricket Bill was published in a Gazette supplement dated September 25 and issued on September 28, Newswire reported. It follows the Cabinet decision of September 22 clearing the draft for gazetting and subsequent presentation to Parliament.
What the Bill proposes
The Bill would establish Sri Lanka Cricket as a body corporate responsible for regulating, promoting and developing the sport.
Governance would sit with a 14-member board — seven Independent Directors and seven Elected Directors. At least two of the Independent Directors must be women. The chairperson would be drawn from among the Independent Directors and the deputy chairperson from among the Elected Directors.
Terms would run four years, with Elected Directors limited to eight years in total. The Bill also sets out disqualifications for board positions, covering people holding certain political or cricket-related roles, journalists and media owners, and player agents or managers.
A three-tier membership and voting structure would replace the present arrangement: Tier A members would hold two votes each, Tier B members and Provincial Cricket Associations one vote each, and Tier C members could attend as observers without voting rights.
Oversight and transition
Audited accounts and annual reports would go to Parliament and be published online. The minister would be able to initiate audits and inquiries into credible allegations of corruption, financial irregularities or governance failures, with possible action including the suspension or removal of directors or of the board itself.
If enacted, the Bill would replace the provisions of the Sports Law relating to cricket. The existing body’s assets, liabilities, contracts, employees and pending proceedings would transfer to the new Sri Lanka Cricket.
The Bill has been gazetted but is not yet law. It must still be presented to Parliament and passed before taking effect.
