Kusal Mendis, Sri Lanka's men's white-ball captain, has been named the inaugural president of the newly formed Sri Lankan Professional Cricketers' Association (SLPCA), marking a landmark moment for player representation in the island nation's cricket ecosystem. The association was formally launched on Saturday, 8 August, with backing from prominent names across both the men's and women's game.

Key Developments

Women's captain Chamari Athapaththu and leg-spin all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga are among the principal supporters of the SLPCA, which has been set up to function as an independent, collective voice for professional cricketers in Sri Lanka. Notably, the association places women's cricket on equal footing with the men's game — a structural distinction from earlier, less formalised player unions in the country.

The SLPCA is directly affiliated with the World Cricketers' Association (WCA), bringing Sri Lankan players into a global player-advocacy network that includes bodies such as the Australian Cricketers' Association and England's Professional Cricketers' Association.

What the Association Said

'The formation of the SLPCA comes at a landmark time for Sri Lankan cricket, following a sustained period of positive progress and reform across the sport in the country, including the work of the game's transformation committee to strengthen governance and modernise the domestic structure,' the association said in a statement.

The statement further noted that 'having a genuine, organised player voice is another important step toward a modern, collaborative game that is aligned with international best practice.'

What the Players Said

Mendis, speaking on the association's establishment, said: 'We're proud to have established SLPCA 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.'

Athapaththu added: '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.'

Context: SLC's Reform Phase

The SLPCA's launch comes amid a significant period of administrative change at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), which is currently undergoing structural reforms under a government-appointed Transformation Committee. The timing is deliberate — player advocates argue that a formalised union strengthens the reform process by ensuring athletes have a seat at the table as governance structures are redesigned.

This is the first time Sri Lankan cricketers have established a professionally organised, internationally affiliated body of this kind, aligning the country with cricketing nations that have long had functioning player associations. With the SLPCA now operational, attention will turn to how it engages with SLC and the Transformation Committee in the months ahead.