The newly formed Sri Lankan Professional Cricketers' Association (SLPCA) was officially launched this Saturday, appointing men's white-ball captain Kusal Mendis as its inaugural president. The association aims to serve as an independent and collective voice for professional cricketers across the country, receiving significant backing from prominent figures including women's captain Chamari Athapaththu and allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga.
According to a media release, the formation of the SLPCA marks a landmark moment for the sport in Sri Lanka, following a period of reform and progress led by the game's transformation committee to modernize governance and domestic structures. The establishment of an organized player voice is viewed as a crucial step toward aligning the national game with international best practices and collaborative governance.
The SLPCA is now directly affiliated with the World Cricketers' Association (WCA), the global federation for professional players. This move addresses a historical gap, as Sri Lankan players previously lacked structured access to WCA programs, welfare safety nets, and international advocacy networks. Sri Lanka had been one of the few major cricketing nations, alongside India and Pakistan, that did not formally affiliate with the WCA. The current alignment is already reflected at the highest levels, with Athapaththu appointed to the WCA Player Advisory Board earlier this year.
Unlike the previous Sri Lanka Cricketers' Association, which existed intermittently since 2001 and was often criticized for being dominated by retired players and subject to board-driven pressure, the SLPCA is led directly by active national team captains and marquee players. Furthermore, the new association places women's cricket on equal footing with the men's game in its foundational blueprint. Kusal Mendis expressed pride in the establishment of the organization, noting his intent to work constructively with Sri Lanka Cricket and the Transformation Committee. Athapaththu echoed these sentiments, describing the association as a vital step forward that allows Sri Lankan cricketers to benefit from the same effective representation enjoyed by their international peers.
