The Hon. Chandima Hettiaratchi

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, at this discussion on the Adjournment Motion regarding Sri Lanka Cricket, I wish to raise a few points.

¶ 02 We are a people who play cricket in paddy fields, home yards, and streets—cricket is in our blood. Yet there is no integrated plan: if there were, village, district, provincial, and national cricket would not be in this crisis. Schoolchildren lack a clear pathway to the national level, and we see inequities in both physical and human resources: those from less-resourced villages or without big family connections struggle to advance.

¶ 03 Our national team’s state is evident—recently all out for 254, and similar issues. I draw attention to the 2023 Audit Report. Under 3.3(a) it notes that, contrary to the Special Gazette 2310/26 of 14 December 2022 under the Sports Law, a sitting MP, who is also Chairman of the Puttalam District Cricket Association and Secretary of the Sri Lanka Cricket Conference, was paid an allowance of Rs. 2.2 million within the year under review. There are many such issues: no integrated plan, no annual action plan with proper prioritization and timelines.

¶ 04 We must change this now. Remove the old corrupt elements in SLC and in other institutions as well. Our national policy—mandated by the people—prioritizes participation, discipline, confidence and competitiveness, professionalism and international excellence, sufficient infrastructure, equitable access, and cooperation among government, private sector, and NGOs. On these principles, we are ready to lift not only cricket but all sport.