Jay Shah's Colombo Visit Highlights Cricket Governance Push

The ongoing transformation of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) received a significant boost on Friday as ICC Chairman Jay Shah and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia met members of the interim committee overseeing the island nation's cricket administration. The visit highlighted the growing focus on governance, transparency, and institutional reforms in international cricket, while reaffirming the ICC's support for Sri Lanka's efforts to rebuild confidence in its cricket administration.

According to a statement issued by Sri Lanka Cricket, the discussions centered on the current status of cricket governance in the country and the progress achieved under the committee entrusted with managing the transition process. SLC officials provided a detailed update on measures undertaken to strengthen governance structures, improve accountability, and introduce reforms aimed at ensuring long-term stability within the organization.

A key aspect of the meeting was the ongoing work on constitutional and administrative reforms , which are expected to reshape the future functioning of Sri Lanka Cricket. The committee also shared indicative timelines for completing the reform process and restoring governance to a duly elected administration in accordance with the country's legal and constitutional framework. The ICC delegation was briefed on milestones achieved so far and the mechanisms being put in place to ensure a smooth and transparent transition.

The reform process carries added significance given Sri Lanka's recent governance challenges. The country faced an ICC suspension in 2023 over concerns related to cricket administration before regaining full membership status in 2024. In response, Sri Lanka appointed a nine-member Cricket Transformation Committee , chaired by former minister Eran Wickramaratne and comprising respected cricket figures including Kumar Sangakkara , Roshan Mahanama , and Sidath Wettimuny . The committee has been tasked with drafting a new constitution and recommending structural reforms to modernize the board.

Welcoming the progress made so far, Shah reiterated the ICC's commitment to supporting member boards in promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability . The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss cricket development initiatives, grassroots programmes, bilateral cooperation, and strategies to strengthen the game's future in Sri Lanka.

The visit carries additional importance because of the growing influence of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in world cricket. Widely regarded as the sport's financial powerhouse, the BCCI's cash reserves and investments have reportedly grown from ₹6,059 crore in 2019 to approximately ₹20,686 crore in 2025 , an increase of more than 240 percent in five years. In FY2023-24 alone, the board generated revenues of nearly ₹9,742 crore , driven largely by the success of the Indian Premier League (IPL) .

During his Colombo visit, Shah also met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake , with discussions focusing on youth development, infrastructure, and expanding opportunities for emerging cricketers. As Sri Lanka Cricket moves forward with its reform agenda, the support of both the ICC and the world's most influential cricket board is expected to play a crucial role in shaping a more stable and transparent future for the sport in the country.