Minister Bimal Rathnayake has defended the appointment of Eran Wickramaratne as Chairman of the Cricket Restructuring Committee, dismissing concerns over political differences and emphasizing the need for capable leadership to revive the sport.
Responding to criticism about appointing someone outside the government’s political alignment, Rathnayake said the decision was based solely on merit rather than ideology.
“Cricket doesn’t have to be left-wing,” he remarked, stressing that the appointment should not be viewed through a political lens.
He noted that Wickramaratne was selected due to his background as a former cricketer and his extensive administrative experience, expressing confidence that he can help restore Sri Lanka national cricket team to higher standards.
“We needed a suitable and talented administrator. He has knowledge of the game and the capacity to guide its development,” the Minister said during a televised interview.
Rathnayake further emphasized that managing cricket is not the same as running a political party, reiterating that the primary focus is on rebuilding the sport.
Highlighting performance concerns, he pointed out that Sri Lanka has not reached a semi-final in any format over the past decade. He added that cricket remains a national strength and a valuable global asset that must be developed for the country’s future.
