Head of Sri Lanka Cricket’s Transformation Committee, Eran Wickremaratne, has rejected allegations that his religious beliefs could influence cricket administration, insisting that religion would have no role in the sport’s governance or player selection.

Responding to questions raised during a press conference held yesterday at the Sri Lanka Cricket headquarters, Wickremaratne said cricket must remain free from anything that could divide people in the country.

Widely known as a Christian pastor, Wickremaratne challenged those making accusations to provide evidence that his faith had ever prevented fairness or inclusivity in his professional career.

Reflecting on his background, he noted that he was the only non-Buddhist student in his class at school, yet was elected student leader without issue.

“I went to a good school and I will not say which school. There were 35 students in my class and I was the only non-Buddhist and I became the student leader of the school. There were no issues,” he said.

Wickremaratne also pointed to his previous roles in public and corporate sectors, including setting up a bank, serving as Head of the National Development Bank, State Minister of Enterprise, and Deputy Finance Minister, stating that religion had never been an issue in any of those positions.

The former Royal College cricketer emphasised that there would be no room for religious, racial, class or social discrimination in cricket administration, and that players would be selected solely on merit and performance.