The Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee has issued a clarification over remarks made by its Honorary Chairman, Eran Wickramaratne, during a recent television interview, stressing that his comments were not intended to criticise or question the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The clarification follows an interview on the Ada Derana 360 programme in which Wickramaratne questioned the ICC’s approach to political involvement in cricket administration while defending proposed governance reforms in Sri Lanka.
During the interview, Wickramaratne was asked whether the ICC had been wrong to suspend Sri Lanka Cricket in 2023 over government interference.
“Even today there are politicians in some countries,” he responded, while arguing that the ICC should understand the circumstances surrounding Sri Lanka’s proposed reforms.
In a statement, the Transformation Committee said his observations should not be interpreted as reflecting any adverse position towards the ICC or its engagement with Sri Lanka Cricket.
“The remarks were not intended, nor should they be construed, as casting any adverse reflection upon the ICC, nor upon the manner in which the ICC has engaged with or dealt with Sri Lanka Cricket,” the committee said.
It explained that Wickramaratne’s comments were made in the context of Sri Lanka’s existing legal and administrative mechanisms governing elections to sports bodies and the appointment of interim administrations.
The committee stressed that the observations were not intended to challenge or depart from the ICC’s principles, guidelines or requirements.
Instead, it said the chairman was explaining how the ongoing governance reform process was being undertaken within Sri Lanka’s existing legal framework.
During the television interview, Wickramaratne had defended provisions in the proposed Sri Lanka Cricket legislation allowing the Sports Minister to intervene under specified circumstances, arguing that the new framework would clearly define and restrict such powers.
He also maintained that the ICC should welcome a transparent system in which the circumstances and procedures governing intervention were expressly established by law.
The ICC suspended Sri Lanka Cricket in November 2023, citing government interference in the administration of the sport. The suspension followed the then Sports Minister’s decision to appoint an interim committee to replace the elected administration.
In its latest statement, the Transformation Committee reiterated its commitment to maintaining constructive engagement with the ICC throughout the reform process.
“Sri Lanka Cricket and the Transformation Committee remain committed to maintaining constructive and continuous engagement with the ICC on matters relating to the ongoing governance reforms,” it said.
The committee added that continued consultation and dialogue with the international governing body would remain a priority as Sri Lanka moves towards a new cricket administration.
The clarification comes as the Transformation Committee continues efforts to introduce a new constitution and governance structure for Sri Lanka Cricket, with the aim of eventually transferring administration to an elected body. (Newswire)
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