Association of Cricket Umpires in Sri Lanka (ACUSL) recently inducted 53 new members at a ceremony held at the Panadura Sports Club, a move that is aimed at unifying the umpiring community in the country under one umbrella.

ICC Elite member Umpires Ruchira Palliyaguruge and Raveendra Wimalasiri, also became members of ACUSL as part of the new endeavour.

The new members were given their membership certificates by Ravin Wickramaratne, the newly elected President of ACUSL, who aims to strengthen and advance the umpiring profession in Sri Lanka with the support of Shammi Silva, President of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

This event marks a significant milestone, as all the new members were previously part of the ‘Professional Cricket Umpires Association (PCUA),’ a group that had split from the ACUSL over 10 years ago.

Among those who joined the ACUSL, were Professional Cricket Umpires Association former President and currently an ICC Umpire Prageeth Rambukwella, and a former international Umpire Ranmore Martinez, who previously served as the breakaway Association’s Secretary.

With the addition of these new members, ACUSL now has 1,300 members across the country, organised into various grades (1-5) and represented by 17 District Branches.

ACUSL New President Ravin Wickramaratne aims to build a unified umpiring community in Sri Lanka and further enhance standards.

Wickramaratne, who also serves as Vice President of SLC invited the membership to contribute to elevating the standards of the umpiring profession in the country.

Founded in 1944, the ACUSL has a proud history, including providing umpires for Sri Lanka’s inaugural Test match against England in 1982 at the P. Sara Oval. 

(JK)