Sri Lanka’s Sumathi Dharmawardena has been appointed as the new independent chair of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), succeeding Sir Ronnie Flanagan. He will officially assume the role on November 1, 2024.
The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) will now be overseen by its new Independent Chair, Mr. Dharmawardena, who takes on the role from November 1, 2024, with executive management led by the General Manager – Integrity. Formerly the Additional Solicitor General at Sri Lanka’s Attorney General’s Department, Dharmawardena has represented the government in sports-related legal matters and worked with Interpol and the United Nations on sports corruption cases. He succeeds Sir Ronnie Flanagan, retiring after 14 years, while ACU Head Alex Marshall will also conclude his seven-year term in November.
Dharmawardena’s extensive background in anti-corruption and legal enforcement positions him as a vital addition to the ICC’s ACU. During his tenure with Sri Lanka’s Attorney General’s Department, he provided legal expertise to the Ministry of Sport on various corruption-related issues. His international experience includes working with Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, where he investigated sports corruption and oversaw cases under the Sports Act.
In taking over from Sir Ronnie Flanagan, who has led the unit since 2010, Dharmawardena is expected to bring renewed focus on transparency and integrity. Alex Marshall’s departure as ACU Head also marks a significant shift, concluding a tenure noted for several high-profile investigations. This new leadership aims to enhance the ICC’s anti-corruption measures and strengthen sports integrity worldwide.
