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by Dinesh Weerawansa

Sri Lanka's richest sports governing body - the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) yesterday deviated from its traditional half a century long set-up to transform as a corporate body with a specialised commercial arm. Accordingly, the BCCSL will now be called 'Sri Lanka Cricket'.

In keeping with a developing sporting world trend, the BCCSL membership yesterday adopted four resolutions which would transform the BCCSL to 'Sri Lanka Cricket' and its newly formed commercial arm - as Sri Lanka Cricket Incorporated, which will be registered under Registrar of Companies under Section 21 of the Companies Act No 17 of 1982. The new changes would see the 54-year-old BCCSL being transformed to Sri Lanka Cricket, fall in lines with the Australian Cricket Board, which also changed its status to Cricket Australia recently.

The four resolutions were given a clear mandate by the BCCSL membership at a Extraordinary General Meeting of the BCCSL held at the Board headquarters, Colombo 7 yesterday.

When the voting was taken to adopt the four resolutions, (1) was unanimously adopted (2) with a 95-1 majority (3) was unanimously voted 111 in favour and (4) with a 102-2 majority. The overwhelming mandate given by the membership for adoption for the said resolutions, was a clear backing for the new development and strategic plans introduced by the new BCCSL President Thilanga Sumathipala, who was elected to the top seat for a record third time last June.

A man with a vision, Sumathipala plans to run country's cricket governing body in a highly professional manner, on par with the other top cricket playing nations. He has already introduced long-term and short-term development plans with a target of taking back Sri Lanka cricket to greater heights in the world sporting map.

The Special Resolution was to confirm the minutes of the Annual General Meeting, Election of the Board of Control of Cricket in Sri Lanka held on 11th June 2000, confirm the minutes of the Extraordinary General Meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka held on 17th September 2000, tabling and adoption of the Annual Report of the BCCSL for the period ended 31st December 2000, tabling and adoption of the Auditors' Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2000, appointment of Hony. Recorder, Auditors and applications for membership. This was unanimously adopted.

The local cricket governing body could now take action against those who misuse its funds. This was part of the special resolution 2 passed with a 95 votes for and one against. It said, "To quantify the damages caused to the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka by way of financial loss, loss of opportunity, and its image, through a special audit for the period 28th March 2001 to 5th June 2003".

It also had the clause on funds which said; "To take appropriate action against those who were individually or collectively responsible for mismanagement, misconduct or misappropriation of funds and affairs of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka if any". The Special Resoluation 3 would see the "The rule No 1 of the constitution of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka is amended as Title" Sri Lanka Cricket shall be hereinafter referred to as "The Board" and wherever appropriate the name and style of the 'Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka' be replaced with the name "Sri Lanka Cricket". This resolution was unanimously passed with 111 members in favour.

The strategically important special resolution 4 would give a new commercial arm to newly formed Sri Lanka Cricket. "To register under the Registrar of Companies, a charitable entity as commercial arm of the Sri Lanka Cricket (as BCCSL is known now) under Section 21 of the Companies Act No 17 of 1982.

This company which will be under the patronage of Sri Lanka Cricket will be known, as "Sri Lanka Cricket Incorporated" and"The Board of Directors of then said Sri Lanka Cricket Incorporated, shall consist of the elected President, two Vice Presidents, Hony Secretary and Hony. Treasurer.

Accordingly, the new Sri Lanka Cricket Incorporated Management Board would comprise Thilanga Sumathipala, A.J.M.Muzammil, Aravinda de Silva, Mohan de Silva and Lal Nanayakkara. In addition - Sri Lanka Cricket's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Finance Officer, Head of Marketing - three permanent employees, and the representative of the Ministry of Sports shall be nominated to the Board of Directors without voting rights. This fourth and final resolution too was passed with 102 members for and two against.

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