Sri Lanka to limit players to three franchise leagues a year

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) plans to restrict players to a maximum of three franchise leagues a year, including the Lanka Premier League (LPL), as part of measures aimed at reducing workloads and ensuring national commitments take priority.

Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee member Sidath Wettimuny said players would also be required to return to Sri Lanka at least 10 days before an international assignment, bringing their participation in overseas franchise competitions to an earlier close.

He said the proposed restrictions were intended to strengthen players’ commitment to the national team while improving fitness and reducing the risk of injury caused by excessive cricket.

SLC has previously introduced limits on franchise league participation, but the rules were not consistently enforced and some players took part in more tournaments than permitted.

Wettimuny said the Transformation Committee also planned to tighten the process for issuing No Objection Certificates for overseas leagues. Player fitness would become an important consideration when granting permission.

He said injury management had become increasingly important as players were being exposed to heavier workloads across international and franchise cricket.

The proposed regulations are intended to ensure that national team commitments come first while giving SLC greater control over player workloads and recovery periods.

Transformation Committee Chairman Eran Wickramaratne said SLC also expected to have a new constitution approved by Parliament by the end of this year.

If the legislative process proceeded as planned, regular elections at SLC could resume in early 2027, he said, paving the way for the governing body to return to full operational status within the International Cricket Council.

Committee member Roshan Mahanama said player discipline, fitness and long-term development would remain central to the reform process.

He said trainers and physiotherapists would have an important role in managing players, while SLC was also preparing short- and long-term development plans around upcoming international tournaments.

Caption - Sidath Wettimuny (left) and Roshan Mahanama briefing the Media. (Pic courtesy SLC)