Sri Lanka Cricket to implement new law in order to keep political interference in check

In a bid to tackle political meddling in Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the island nation is gearing up for a game-changing move. The recent suspension by the International Cricket Council (ICC) citing "political interference" has prompted Sri Lanka to reevaluate their governance structure.

A specially appointed cabinet sub-committee, handpicked by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has swiftly responded to the ICC's concerns. The source of this sub-committee traces back to the controversial attempt by former sports minister Roshan Ranasinghe to establish an interim panel for SLC, a ploy that led to the ICC's harsh actions. In the aftermath of the suspension, the U19 World Cup, originally set to be hosted in Sri Lanka, had to find new grounds in South Africa.

President Wickremesinghe took decisive measures by dismissing both Ranasinghe and his successor, Harin Fernando, and reinstating the elected administration under the leadership of Shammi Silva. The president's intent to replace the outdated 1973 sports law, allowing ministers to appoint interim committees, gained momentum during this crisis.

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, at the helm of the cabinet committee, announced their comprehensive review of SLC's current structure. The primary objective is to propose reforms preventing political interference and bolstering the governance of the cricket board. Sri Lanka Cricket, once the pride of the nation for their 1996 World Cup victory, has grappled with political interventions and interim committees.

The proposed law aims to address issues like the voting structure, criticized for fostering vote-buying, and reinvigorate cricket at various levels – schools, districts, and provinces. The committee's in-depth analysis also sought to uncover the reasons behind Sri Lanka's dwindling international rankings, offering strategies for renewal.

The anticipated introduction of this new law holds the promise of transparency, accountability, and independence in administering Sri Lanka Cricket. Aligning with international standards set by the ICC, the island nation looks set to break free from the shadows of political influence, showing a new era for its cricketing landscape.