Ravin Wickramaratne, the newly elected President of the Association of Cricket Umpires in Sri Lanka (ACUSL), is determined to turn over a new leaf in Sri Lankan umpiring by fostering unity and raising the bar for professional standards.
In a landmark event held at the Panadura Sports Club, the ACUSL welcomed 53 new members into its fold. This move is seen as a long-awaited step towards uniting the country’s umpiring fraternity under one roof, healing a rift that has lingered for over a decade.
The induction was particularly significant as the new members were formerly part of the Professional Cricket Umpires Association, a splinter group that broke away from the ACUSL years ago. This reunion symbolizes the beginning of a new chapter, one that seeks to put old grievances to bed and focus on a brighter future.
Among the notable additions to the ACUSL are Prageeth Rambukwella, a current ICC umpire and former President of the breakaway association, and Ranmore Martinez, an ex-international umpire who once served as the splinter group’s secretary. ICC umpires Ruchira Palliyaguruge and Raveendra Wimalasiri have also joined the ranks, further bolstering the ACUSL’s expertise and credibility.
The new members were formally welcomed by Wickramaratne, who handed over their membership certificates. Backed by Shammi Silva, the President of Sri Lanka Cricket, Wickramaratne has set his sights on creating a unified umpiring body capable of standing tall on the international stage. The addition of these 53 members, he noted, is a giant leap towards that goal.
Addressing the inductees, Wickramaratne, who also serves as Vice President of Sri Lanka Cricket, urged them to roll up their sleeves and work towards improving the standards of umpiring in Sri Lanka. He emphasized the need for a collaborative spirit, calling on the membership to leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of excellence.
The ACUSL, which has been at the heart of Sri Lankan cricket since its inception in 1944, boasts a storied history. The association’s umpires stood tall during Sri Lanka’s inaugural Test match against England in 1982 at the P. Sara Oval—a moment etched in the annals of cricket history.
With the latest additions, the ACUSL now has a robust membership of 1,300 umpires spread across the country. Organized into five grades and represented by 17 District Branches, the association continues to serve as the backbone of Sri Lankan cricket, nurturing talent and maintaining standards at every level of the game.
As Wickramaratne takes the reins, his vision for a unified and world-class umpiring community promises to be a game-changer. With the winds of change blowing through the ACUSL, Sri Lankan umpiring is poised to reach new heights, ensuring that the spirit of cricket remains in safe and capable hands.
