Sumathi, new Independent Chair of ACU
Sumathi Dharmawardena, Additional Solicitor General at the Attorney General’s Department, this week became the first Asian to be appointed as the new Independent
Chair of International Cricket Council’s anti-corruption unit (ACU).
“The Independent Chair of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit is responsible for overseeing and leading the ACU, which is managed at the executive level by the General Manager – Integrity. Mr. Dharmawardena starts in the role on November 1, 2024,” an ICC media statement said.
He replaces Sir Ronnie Flanagan, who will retire from the position after 14 years in charge.
Dharmawardena, a President’s Counsel, had worked in the Attorney General’s Department of Sri Lanka for a period of 30 years. He is an alumnus of the prestigious National University of Singapore and
was awarded Master of Laws (LLM) in year 2001. Dharmawardena was appointed as an Adjudicator and certified Sports
Arbitrator of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He has also served a member of the Panel of Arbitrators of Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration of China appointed with effect from February 21, 2019 for a period of three years matters related to Commercial Law, Sports Law, Telecommunication Law, and Information Technology at the Attorney General’s Department. His contribution in enacting the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports Act No 24 of 2019, signifies a significant step forward in combating corruption and safeguarding the integrity of sports within the nation and the first similar kind of legislation in South Asia.
He has an impressive array of roles
and expertise within the legal and regulatory spheres of Sri Lanka and beyond. As an Additional Solicitor General of the Attorney General’s Department of Sri Lanka, his influence also reaches the realm of sports regulation and governance. He advises the Ministry of Sports, contributes to drafting Sports Regulations, and has played a significant role in amending the Sports Law of Sri Lanka.
Dharmawardena has represented the government and its ministry of sport in many legal matters. He has also had stints with Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, investigating sports corruption matters and overseeing prosecutions under the prevention of offences relating to the Sports Act.