SLC wanted more time to consider proposals

SLC was compelled to vote against the ICC's proposed financial model because of procedural problems with how the new structure was presented to the ICC board, according to the Sri Lanka board's president, Thilanga Sumathipala.

The BCCI and SLC were the only boards to vote against the new draft constitution, which effectively represents a partial rollback of the Big Three's governance and financial policies ushered in in 2014. But where the BCCI stands to earn 34% less in ICC revenue under the proposed new model, SLC's objection is more surprising, as it - along with other smaller boards - is understood to have been offered a greater share of ICC funds than were due under the Big Three.

Sumathipala's official objections to the new model, however, are anchored in concerns about how and when the new structure was proposed, rather than specific opposition to the substance of the proposal. He said: "Sri Lanka has seen the document for discussion only on the 10th of January," adding that "we should give members more time - that includes India".

He also said that he was expecting the proposal to only be discussed at this round of meetings, and not to be "adopted by way of a resolution". Among other objections, Sumathipala said that governance matters and commercial concerns could not appropriately be dealt with in one document, and that there needed to be "much clearer comparison of the change".

There is a possibility that SLC's siding with the BCCI is also a reflection of its present financial position. India are scheduled to tour Sri Lanka later this year, bringing with them a much-needed financial windfall. Sumathipala has also publicly invited India to play an "Independence Trophy" in Sri Lanka around February next year, to coincide with Sri Lanka's 70th anniversary of freedom from British rule. In a previous stint as SLC president, Sumathipala oversaw the Nidahas Trophy in 1998 - when India and New Zealand played a tri-series in Sri Lanka coinciding with 50th Independence Day celebrations.

SLC was one of two boards to abstain from voting for the resolution that adopted the Big Three policies in the first place - with the board having the full support of the prevailing Sri Lanka government. However, the political landscape in Sri Lanka has now changed, and both the SLC board and its policy with it.