The world of Sri Lankan cricket was cloaked in sorrow as the news broke of the passing of Mrs. Gwen Herat, the Founding President of the Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Association (SLWCA). Her passing away marks the end of an era and leaves a void in the hearts of countless cricketers, administrators, and supporters of the sport.
Long before women’s cricket found a place in the national conversation, Mrs. Gwen Herat was carving out a space for girls and women to dream. In 1996, against considerable odds, she founded the SLWCA, a body that gave voice, structure, and hope to female cricketers Island wide. Herat’s decade-long leadership transformed the landscape of Sri Lankan women’s cricket.
Under her guiding light, Sri Lanka debuted at the Women’s World Cup in 1997, just one year after the SLWCA’s inception, and went on to participate again in 2000 and 2005. “Right throughout my presidency, we were ranked sixth in the world out of 13 countries,” she once reflected, with quiet pride in her voice.
Perhaps one of Herat’s most difficult decisions as a leader came with the 2006 merger of the SLWCA with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), a move mandated by the International Cricket Council (ICC). It was a moment both triumphant and bittersweet. The merger promised a brighter future for women’s cricket in the form of better funding, exposure, and opportunities. “In the long run, the women cricketers would stand to benefit a lot coming under SLC,” she acknowledged.
But for Gwen Herat, it meant stepping down gracefully from the presidency, passing the torch after years of tireless advocacy. “I decided to step down gracefully,” she told The Nation, then her commitment to the game’s larger good shone through even as her personal role diminished.
Herat’s tenure was not without challenges. She spoke candidly about the issues of governance, stating, “With an elected body, you can take up matters which are irregular. But with interim bodies, whom can you complain to?” Yet, her pragmatism always prevailed, knowing that the ultimate beneficiaries were the athletes she championed.
Her ability to secure resources was legendary, raising Rs. two million annually for five years, securing sponsorships even when the odds were against her. Under her care, young cricketers received opportunities their predecessors never had, with improved financial support, travel allowances, and recognition.
Mrs. Herat’s influence extended far beyond administration. She was a pioneer in a male-dominated world, becoming the first woman to head the Puttalam District Cricket Association and leading it for 15 years, a feat that continues to inspire women in cricket and beyond. She was instrumental in making Sri Lanka a full member of the International Women’s Cricket Council and bringing local cricket under the aegis of the ICC.
Her life was a testament to determination, vision, and compassion. She was described by many as “the lifeblood of women’s cricket,” but perhaps her greatest legacy lies in the countless lives she changed, athletes who once only dreamed of donning national colours now walk onto the world stage, building on the foundation she built.
As messages of condolence pour in from across the cricketing world, including from Sri Lanka Cricket’s official X handle, one sentiment rings clear: Mrs. Gwen Herat’s legacy will forever inspire. The pathways she helped pave now run strong, guiding new generations of Sri Lankan women to chase glory on the cricket field.
In her honour, let us remember and celebrate a true pioneer, a woman whose devotion, humility, and persistence elevated not just a sport, but a nation’s dreams. Her spirit will always watch over Sri Lankan women’s cricket, every run, every wicket, every cheer, a reminder that one person’s vision can indeed change the world.
