Kumar Sangakkara Joins Transformation Committee to Overhaul Sri Lanka Cricket
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A New Era for Sri Lanka Cricket
In a significant development that marks a potential turning point for the sport in the nation, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is undergoing a massive leadership overhaul. Following the government’s decision to oust the previous office bearers, a new nine-member Transformation Committee has been appointed to steer the organization toward transparency, efficiency, and international success. Among the high-profile names leading this charge is none other than cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara.
The Composition of the Transformation Committee
The newly formed committee is a blend of cricketing expertise, legal acumen, and corporate leadership. Joining Sangakkara on the panel are other celebrated figures from the sport, including Roshan Mahanama and Sidath Wettimuny. The committee is chaired by Eran Wickramaratne, a former Member of Parliament who has stepped away from his political affiliations to focus entirely on this critical administrative role.
The full list of appointees includes:
- Eran Wickramaratne (Politics/Corporate)
- Kumar Sangakkara (Cricket/Business)
- Roshan Mahanama (Cricket/Corporate)
- Sidath Wettimuny (Cricket/Corporate)
- Prakash Schaffter (Corporate/Cricket)
- Avanthi Colombage (Corporate)
- Thushira Radella (Corporate)
- Upul Kumarapperuma (Law/Politics)
- Dinal Phillips (Law)
Primary Objectives: Governance and Excellence
Eran Wickramaratne has stated that the committee’s immediate priority is a complete overhaul of the SLC governance framework. Central to this mission is the implementation of a new constitution. For years, the existing structure has been criticized for being archaic, often granting disproportionate power to non-performing regional bodies while failing to prevent systemic issues like corruption and mismanagement.
With the inclusion of legal experts Dinal Phillips and Upul Kumarapperuma, the committee is well-positioned to draft a modern, robust constitutional foundation. Beyond governance, the committee aims to restore the national team’s competitive edge. Wickramaratne emphasized the goal of establishing world-class facilities and incentive structures to ensure Sri Lankan players can once again compete at the highest tier of international cricket.
The transition comes amidst historical scrutiny from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding political interference in cricket administration. In the past, the ICC has taken a stern stance on such matters, ranging from the suspension of SLC in 2023 to holding funds in escrow. However, the committee has expressed its commitment to absolute compliance with ICC regulations. By appointing a figure from the opposition, the government appears to be signaling a desire to maintain independence and professionalism within the board’s new DNA.
Addressing Public Discontent
The push for change follows years of mounting public frustration. The ousted administration, led by Shammi Silva, faced heavy criticism following the national teams’ failure to advance past the group stages in major ICC tournaments since 2014. Despite these poor performances, Silva had won the presidency unopposed on three successive occasions, a situation many stakeholders cited as clear evidence of deep-seated systemic dysfunction. With the appointment of respected figures like Sangakkara and Wettimuny—who previously led the 2015 interim committee—fans and stakeholders alike are hopeful that a more transparent, meritocratic, and successful chapter is finally beginning for Sri Lanka Cricket.
As the committee begins its work, the eyes of the cricketing world remain fixed on Colombo, waiting to see if these structural changes will translate into the long-awaited return of Sri Lanka to the pinnacle of the sport.
