Sri Lanka Supreme Court clears most of cricket reform bill

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has found almost all of the proposed Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) reform bill to be constitutional, leaving only two clauses that need amendment, according to MDW Live Sri Lanka, as reported by ANI and The News Mill.

What happens next

According to the same reports, the bill can pass Parliament with a simple majority if the two clauses are corrected at Committee stage. Otherwise it would need a two-thirds majority.

The legislation remains a proposal and has yet to be passed by Parliament.

What the bill would change

The bill would establish a new statutory body, Sri Lanka Cricket, run by a 14-member board. Seven members would be independent professionals and seven would be representatives elected by member clubs and provincial associations.

At least two of the independent directors would have to be women, and the chairperson would be chosen from that group. Cricket would also come under its own legal framework, outside the Sports Law of 1973.

Oversight would be strengthened through audits by the Auditor General and the appointment of a Compliance Officer.

Opposition and support

Six petitions challenged the legislation, including one from former SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala.

Several former cricketers have supported the reforms, which are intended to address governance problems, improve accountability and reduce administrative and political interference in the sport.

The reports do not identify the two clauses the court flagged.