• Says results on the pitch will improve over time
• Phillips PC calls for checks and balances 

The Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) Transformation Committee Chair Eran Wickramaratne states that although they would prefer results on the field from the national team to be positive than at present, they have no concerns of any of those involved in the backroom staff.

“Certainly we want to see results, there is no question on that front,” he told reporters, during the Transformation Committee’s monthly media briefing at Maitland Place on Wednesday (30 Sept).

“Yes, we want to see Sri Lanka in a winning state. But, at the same time I must say that we’ve no concerns about individuals. No concerns at all. In fact, they’ve come in newly and obviously it takes time to build.”

The former MP turned cricket administrator went a decade back to point out that Sri Lanka had been ranked higher in all three formats of the game and asserted that from those highs of the past, the team had plunged to its current position.

“Back in 2011 in Tests we were ranked fourth, while in ODIs we were ranked third and then in T20Is we were placed at number three. But, if you consider our current position we have deteriorated and we are more like seven, eight and nine across the formats.”

Wickramaratne, looking at things in perspective, insisted that the team’s decline in rankings had not taken place overnight, and observed it was unfair to expect any individual or coach coming in newly to drastically alter a pattern that has taken root for some time.

“I think we need to be realistic here. But, if we are on the right road, I certainly think that we are going to see the changes and differences in a more sustainable manner.”

He noted that his Committee will however not measure the success of the national team on a match-by-match basis.

He then pointed out that they are more concerned at taking the right steps as well as putting the right infrastructure in place for women’s cricket plus the three formats of the men’s game, to translate to long-term success on the field.

SLC Transformation Committee member and President’s Counsel Dinal Phillips, outlining the finer points of the proposed new Constitution to the ruling body, stated that essentially top professionals will form the seven appointed members.

He said this has been done to ensure a system of checks and balances taking place at an institution, which he described as having had an annual income in excess of Rs 10 billion.

The PC added that the Chair of the SLC will be from the appointed members in order to bring forth greater independence to the board.

“You are talking of a 16-billion, rupee organisation,” Phillips PC explained. “So you need persons with a good accountancy background, legal framework, marketing, IT and to cover that whole gamut in this sphere. So they will ensure that the end product won’t get tarnished.”

He also added that under the proposed new Act, accountability would be directly to the Parliament.

“The RTI Act is there and the new administration of SLC will henceforth be accountable to the Parliament for any misdemeanours etc., taking place. Its I think is a step in the right direction.” President’s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma also attended the press conference.