- Bill proposing new SLC constitution Gazetted
A Bill proposing a new statutory framework for the governance of Sri Lanka Cricket has been published in the Gazette.
The Sri Lanka Cricket Bill proposes establishing Sri Lanka Cricket as a body corporate responsible for regulating, promoting and developing cricket in the country. The gazette was published on 25 September and issued three days later.
The proposed Sri Lanka Cricket Bill 2026 introduces sweeping changes to the way cricket will be governed in Sri Lanka, including a new 14-member Board with seven Independent Directors and seven Elected Directors.
The proposed qualifications include:
- Chartered Accountant: At least 15 years’ membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka
- Attorney-at-Law: At least 15 years of active legal practice in Sri Lanka
- Former international cricketer: Must have played at least 15 international matches and must not have played international cricket during the previous 36 months.
- IT professional: Must have a postgraduate qualification in Computer Science or Information Systems and extensive corporate experience.
- Marketing/Brand professional: Must have recognised qualifications and a proven track record in developing, managing and commercialising major brands.
- Two other professionals: Must have an unblemished reputation and relevant expertise in areas such as finance, management, law, IT, marketing, sport or governance.
- At least two of the seven Independent Directors must be women.
The Independent Directors would serve four-year terms and could be reappointed once. The Elected Directors would also serve four-year terms, with an overall eight-year limit.
The Bill proposes strict restrictions and among those who cannot serve Sri Lanka Cricket. Section 7 of the proposed Sri Lanka Cricket legislation sets out a lengthy list of disqualifications for anyone seeking to be appointed or elected, or to continue as an Independent Director or Elected Director of the SLC Board.
Among those who would be disqualified are:
- Politicians - Anyone who is a Member of Parliament, Provincial Councillor or member of a local authority.
- SLC officials and Nomination Committee members - Anyone employed by Sri Lanka Cricket, serving on the Nomination Committee, or holding office in an SLC member organisation.
- Certain convicted persons: Anyone convicted and sentenced to at least six months’ imprisonment for offences involving moral turpitude, fraud, dishonesty, corruption or violence within the previous 10 years.
- Those removed from SLC positions on disciplinary grounds - Anyone previously removed from or required to vacate an SLC position or membership category for misconduct, breach of duty or other specified disqualification.
- Journalists and media owners - Anyone who, during the previous three years, has worked as a professional journalist for a media organisation, whether paid or freelance, in print or electronic media, or who owns, co-owns or is a major shareholder of a media organisation.
- Close family of national cricketers - A parent or sibling of a player in a National Pool or National Team.
- Coaches and match officials - Anyone who, during the previous three years, has worked as a match official or coach of an individual player or team participating in a tournament conducted or authorised by SLC.
- Player agents or managers
- Non-Sri Lankan citizens
- Certain cricket-related business interests - Anyone who, during the previous year, has been involved in supplying sports goods/equipment to SLC, operating sports training schools, or providing financial services relating to cricket.
- Betting and gaming connections - Anyone with an interest in betting, gaming or wagering organisations, as well as immediate family members with such interests or employment in their day-to-day operations.
- Certain overseas sports representatives - A person who represented Sri Lanka in an international sports event related to cricket with the approval of the Minister but failed to return to Sri Lanka.
- Senior office-bearers of sports bodies - Anyone simultaneously holding positions such as President, Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of an SLC member club/association or another National Sports Association.
- Those subject to certain cricket-related bans or penalties - Anyone penalised, banned, suspended or disqualified by the SLC Disciplinary and Disputes Committee, Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency, WADA, ICC, ACC or a relevant cricket body for offences involving: Prohibited substances, Corruption, Betting, Match-fixing, Spot-fixing and Misuse of insider information
Briefly Section 7 attempts to create a broad set of eligibility barriers designed to prevent political office-holders, certain media figures, players' close relatives, coaches, agents, cricket-related business interests and people with specified disciplinary or betting connections from serving on the SLC Board.
The wording of the proposed legislation is significant because several of these disqualifications extend beyond the individual candidate to their family relationships and previous professional activities.
The voting system of electing members to the SLC Executive Committee has also been changed.
The SLC membership would be divided into Tier A, Tier B and Tier C. Tier A has 2 votes, Tier B has 1 vote and Tier C has no voting rights.
Tier A clubs are expected to maintain at least 200 registered members, while Tier B members must maintain at least 100. Membership status and voting power would also be linked to competitive level, governance and membership requirements.
The Bill proposes greater financial accountability and stronger scrutiny through:
Auditor-General oversight, Annual reports to Parliament, Publication of accounts, Disclosure of Directors’ remuneration and benefits, Disclosure of attendance and significant decisions, Disclosure of donations, and Investigations into alleged corruption, fraud and financial irregularities.
The 7 Independent and 7 Elected structure, the new voting system and the eligibility restrictions could fundamentally change who controls Sri Lanka Cricket. The bill could be one of the biggest changes to Sri Lankan cricket administration in decades.
If enacted, the bill would replace the provisions of the Sports Law relating to cricket. It provides for the existing body’s assets, liabilities, contracts, employees and pending proceedings to transfer to the new Sri Lanka Cricket. The bill has been published but is not yet law.
