SLC set to receive parliament-approved constitution before end of 2026

Sri Lanka Cricket is on course to have a new, parliament-approved constitution in place before the close of 2026, according to Eran Wickramaratne, the chair of SLC's Transformation Committee. Wickramaratne, who has served in the country's cabinet over the past 10 years, indicated that the legislative process is advancing steadily and that elections at SLC could recommence in the early months of 2027 if the process continues without disruption.

The development carries significant implications for SLC's standing at the ICC. At present, SLC's voting rights at the ICC board have been suspended on the grounds that the Transformation Committee constitutes government interference in cricket. Sri Lanka was also stripped of hosting rights for next year's Women's Champions Trophy as a direct consequence of the Transformation Committee's installation. A fully enacted constitution, arrived at through a parliamentary route, is seen as the mechanism through which SLC could reclaim its position as a fully-operational ICC member.

As reported by Cricinfo, the Sri Lanka Cricket bill, in its current form, prescribes a 14-member board for the governing body. Under this structure, half of the board officials would be elected by SLC's member body, while the remaining half would serve as independent directors appointed through a separate process. The bill further stipulates that at least two of those independent directors must be women.

How does the bill address the government interference concern?

The central governance concern raised by the ICC relates to the degree of government control over SLC. Currently, SLC operates within the framework of Sri Lanka's 1973 Sports Law and reports to the government across many of its processes. The new bill explicitly removes SLC from the list of bodies governed by that Sports Law and, in effect, supersedes it entirely, creating a statutory basis for the separation that the ICC has demanded.

This separation between SLC and the government can only be achieved through a parliamentary process, which is precisely why the bill route has been pursued. Wickramaratne confirmed that the bill was tabled in parliament in late September and has already completed its first reading. It is currently before the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, which has heard petitions from members of the public over the past eight days.

"Since [the Bill's] tabling, it may be challenged in the courts for two weeks by any citizen. That has also been concluded. There were petitions and suggestions that came through that. The Supreme Court will most likely provide its verdict and conclusion this week. And then it will be tabled in parliament the following week," Wickramaratne told Cricinfo.

Wickramaratne also acknowledged that the Supreme Court could require the bill to pass with more than a simple majority or even call for a referendum, depending on whether it finds any provisions inconsistent with Sri Lanka's constitution. He stated that any such requirements would be addressed constructively, emphasising that the process is driven by the interests of cricket and the country rather than personal considerations.

What is the expected timeline for the bill becoming law?

Once the Supreme Court delivers its ruling and the bill returns to parliament, the second reading debate can be scheduled approximately three weeks after the bill's tabling in the house, at which point a vote could be taken. The government, which itself appointed the Transformation Committee, is expected to face a relatively straightforward path through the second and third readings, given that it currently holds a two-thirds majority in parliament.

"After that, three weeks after its tabling, the debate can be called in parliament for the second reading [of the bill], and a vote could be taken. After that [the Act] will take several weeks to implement it, as elected officials have to come through a process. There are appointed officials that have to come through a process as well. That will take several weeks after the SLC constitution becomes law," Wickramaratne said.

Even after the bill passes into law, several additional weeks will be required to implement the new structure, as both elected and appointed officials will need to come through their respective processes before the board is fully constituted. Once those steps are completed, SLC's governance structure would be substantially reorganised, with its internal voting and operational processes aligned to the new statutory framework rather than the 1973 Sports Law. Should elections follow in early 2027 as anticipated, SLC would then be positioned to seek the restoration of its full ICC membership rights.