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Government gazettes SLC Draft Bill

The Government has gazetted a new Bill aimed at establishing a comprehensive legal framework for the control, governance, regulation, promotion, development and administration of cricket in Sri Lanka.

Titled the “Sri Lanka Cricket Bill,” the proposed legislation seeks to provide a statutory framework for the establishment and functioning of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), while introducing principles of good governance, transparency, accountability and integrity into the administration of the sport.

The Bill has been ordered to be published by the Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage and sets out provisions covering the constitution, powers and functions of Sri Lanka Cricket.

According to the proposed legislation, one of its key objectives is to foster the development of cricket in Sri Lanka through the adoption of principles including good governance, integrity, transparency, accountability and inclusivity, while ensuring equal opportunities for those involved in the sport.

The proposed legal framework also seeks to strengthen safeguards for the welfare of players, officials and other participants in cricket and to protect the sport from corruption and other forms of improper conduct.

The Bill provides for the establishment of SLC and specifies the powers and functions of the organisation in relation to the administration and development of the sport.

The proposed legislation comes amid longstanding concerns over the governance and administration of cricket in Sri Lanka, including issues relating to transparency, accountability and the management of the country's most popular sport.

Under the proposed framework, SLC would have a clearly defined statutory basis for carrying out its responsibilities, while governance standards would form a central component of the administration of the sport.

The Bill also seeks to create provisions dealing with matters connected with or incidental to the establishment and functioning of SLC.