Kusal Mendis Named Inaugural President of New Sri Lankan Professional Cricketers' Association

Sri Lankan cricketers have formally launched their own players' body, with white-ball captain Kusal Mendis named as the inaugural president of the Sri Lankan Professional Cricketers' Association (SLPCA).

The association was officially launched on Saturday, backed by prominent figures in the national set-up including women's captain Chamari Athapaththu and all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga. Its stated aim is to serve as an independent and collective voice for professional cricketers in Sri Lanka, covering their rights, welfare, and broader professional interests.

The SLPCA is directly affiliated with the World Cricketers' Association (WCA), the global federation representing professional cricketers. This brings Sri Lankan players into the same international player-advocacy network as bodies like the Australian Cricketers' Association and England's Professional Cricketers' Association, giving them access to global welfare programmes and support systems they have historically lacked. Sri Lanka had been among a small group of prominent boards, alongside India's BCCI and Pakistan's PCB, without formal WCA affiliation.

The timing is notable, with the launch arriving amid a broader phase of administrative reform in Sri Lankan cricket. Sri Lanka Cricket is currently undergoing changes under a government-appointed Transformation Committee focused on strengthening governance and modernising the domestic structure.

Unlike previous player unions in the country, the SLPCA is led directly by current marquee players and places the women's game on equal footing. Speaking as SLPCA president, Mendis said the body looks forward to working constructively with Sri Lanka Cricket, the Transformation Committee, and other stakeholders as the game continues to grow.