Pramodya returns as National Cricket Selection Committee Chairman

Thursday, 18 December 2025 03:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Former Sports Minister Harin Fernando slams appointment as ‘politicised’

Former Sri Lanka cricketer Pramodya Wickramasinghe has been appointed as the Chairman of the National Cricket Selection Committee by Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, along with Indika de Saram, Tharanga Paranavithana, Vinothan John, and Rasanjali de Alwis.

Wickramasinghe had previously served as Chairman of selectors from 2021-2023.

A media release from the Sports Ministry states: “These appointments have been made in terms of Section 39-1 of the Sports Law, No. 25 of 1973 and the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2437/24 dated 21 May 2025.”

Wickramasinghe takes over as Chairman from another former Sri Lanka cricketer Upul Tharanga, who served in the position for the past two years.

Wickramasinghe, who has served as a selector in past committees, was removed as Chairman following Sri Lanka’s poor showing in the 2023 Cricket World Cup and replaced by Tharanga, but now finds himself back in favour again, two months before the T20 World Cup.

Two members of Tharanga’s committee have been retained in the present panel – Indika de Saram and Tharanga Paranavithana. Another past Sri Lanka cricketer, Vinothen John, who previously served as a selector, has also been reappointed, along with Rasanjali de Alwis, who earlier served in the women’s national selection panel.

Former Sports Minister Harin Fernando slammed Wickramasinghe’s selection committee appointment on social media, calling the move “politicised.”

Fernando said: “I want to thank Upul Tharanga and the rest of the selectors for taking on a very tough and often thankless job back in 2023, at a time when Sri Lankan cricket was going through one of its hardest phases — after a poor World Cup and missing out on the Champions Trophy.

The idea then was to bring in younger selectors who had only recently stopped playing, so they understood today’s game and what modern cricketers go through. I felt that was the right thinking. As Sports Minister, I never interfered with the selection process. The selectors were given the space to do their job, and I believe they played a part in helping the team come back from a difficult period.

It’s disappointing to see that decision now being reversed, with the process once again getting politicised. I appreciate the work done by Upul Tharanga and his team under challenging circumstances and wish them all the best going forward.”