Kusal Mendis Appointed as Inaugural President of Sri Lanka's New Players Body

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's professional cricketers now have a formal platform to represent their interests after the launch of the Sri Lankan Professional Cricketers' Association, with Kusal Mendis taking the presidency of the new organisation.

The association's arrival gives active players a direct link to the World Cricketers' Association (WCA), placing Sri Lanka alongside several major cricket nations with established player bodies. The SLPCA will focus on player representation, welfare and professional matters affecting cricketers across the country.

The timing of the launch is significant as Sri Lankan cricket continues to undergo structural changes. A government-appointed Transformation Committee is overseeing reforms at Sri Lanka Cricket, including work on governance and the domestic game, while a new constitution is also being prepared.

For Mendis, the new role comes alongside his responsibilities as Sri Lanka's men's white-ball captain. Women's captain Chamari Athapaththu and allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga are among the prominent players supporting the organisation, giving the body representation from both sides of the national game.

The WCA connection will also give Sri Lankan players access to international advocacy and welfare programmes that had previously been less accessible through a formal domestic structure. Athapaththu is already involved at the global level after being appointed to the WCA Player Advisory Board earlier this year.

The SLPCA also represents a change from the country's previous attempts at player representation. The Sri Lanka Cricketers' Association had operated intermittently since 2001, but the new organisation is being built around active international players rather than retired cricketers. Women's cricket has also been incorporated on an equal basis in its structure.

The need for a unified player voice has become more apparent through disagreements between players and Sri Lanka Cricket over issues such as no-objection certificates and fitness requirements for participation in overseas leagues. The new association provides a central body through which such matters can be addressed collectively.

Kusal said the organisation would seek a constructive relationship with the authorities and other stakeholders.

"We're proud to have established SPCA to represent Sri Lanka's players at this important time, and we look forward to working constructively and collaboratively with Sri Lanka Cricket, the Transformation Committee, and other stakeholders as cricket continues to grow," Kusal said.

Athapaththu said the organisation was another step in the country's ongoing reforms.

"Through the work of the Transformation Committee, we have already seen great progress in Sri Lankan cricket. The setting up of the Players' Association is another important step forward and sees Sri Lankan cricketers join many of our international colleagues in cricket and other sports who already benefit from effective player representation."

The establishment of the SLPCA means Sri Lanka joins the broader network of player associations represented through the WCA, including those in Australia, England and New Zealand.