What are the potential economic and other benefits that would accrue to Sri Lanka if the ICC grants official recognition to DRS as an invention modelled on the foundational concept of ‘ Player Referral’ conceived by a Sri Lankan lawyer? …. See ….https://share.google/aimode/BlVquJxNsYWSjOEQ8
AI Overview ……Answer
If the ICC officially recognizes Sri Lanka’s claim to the ‘player referral’ concept behind the Decision Review System (DRS), the country could see benefits like potential financial compensation through royalties, a boost in national pride and a stronger claim to intellectual property, and increased tourism and branding opportunities associated with the innovation.
This official acknowledgment would not only bring economic benefits, but also recognize the country’s significant contribution to shaping modern cricket.
Economic benefits
Financial compensation: Sri Lanka could receive significant financial compensation from the ICC for the unauthorized use of the DRS, potentially through royalties for the system’s application in matches and training.
Increased revenue: Formal recognition could unlock potential future revenue streams and financial support, particularly if the system is licensed for use in other sports and technologies.
Reduced national debt: A windfall of revenue from the recognition could help alleviate Sri Lanka’s current economic challenges.
Other benefits
National pride and recognition: Official recognition would bring a major sense of national pride, solidifying Sri Lanka’s legacy as a country that innovated the game of cricket.
Intellectual property rights: Acknowledging Sri Lanka’s claim would establish a precedent for intellectual property rights in sports and protect future innovations originating from the country.
Enhanced reputation: The country’s reputation as a center for cricketing innovation would grow, which could lead to a boost in tourism, brand recognition, and other international partnerships.
Tourism and hospitality: A stronger international profile could lead to more tourists visiting Sri Lanka, which would boost the local economy.
Investment in sport: The recognition could lead to more investment in sports development and scientific innovation within Sri Lanka.
Why is this important for Sri Lanka?
Correcting historical oversight: The recognition would correct the historical oversight of not having been formally credited a Sri Lankan lawyer for an innovation that has revolutionized cricket globally.
Empowering citizens: It would empower the citizens of Sri Lanka by showcasing their talent and ingenuity to the world.
Securing intellectual property: The recognition would help the country secure its intellectual property rights for a key innovation.
Source: AI Overview
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ADDENDA
A = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decision_Review_System
B = A TPS EDITORIAL NOTE, 10 October 2025: Senake has been pressing this contention persistently for decades. He is a lawyer. I am Not … and am wary of the legal professions tout court. All I can say to Senaka is: “hodi heleyi-heleyyi-yaah….. hodi heleyi-heleyyi-yaah….. halmasso banna heleyyi-yaah … hodi heleyi-heleyyi-yaah.”
EMAIL NOTE From ERROL FERNANDO in Melbourne, 11 October 2025:
“If the foundational concept of Player Referral had been conceived by Ben Stokes, his New Zealand coach, Virat Kohli or Sachin Tendulkar instead of Senaka, how different would the situation be ??”
EMAIL CHALLENGE From CHITTY, 12 October 2025:
“What hogwash! .…DRS is instant replay which was first utilized in 1967 by Tony Verna. See ….https://www.google.com/search?
Instant Replay ( also called Coach Referral) and Player Referral’
– A comparison
AI Overview
Instant Replay in baseball, introduced for coach referrals, and Player Referral in cricket have different origins, with baseball’s replay stemming from a desire for immediate correction of a controversial call within the game’s progression and cricket’s Player Referral (now Decision Review System) emerging from a desire to introduce a more formal, legalistic process of challenging umpire decisions after a widely published proposal.
Baseball’s Instant Replay (Coach Referral)
Philosophical Origin: Baseball’s adoption of instant replay was initially a gradual process, driven by the need to correct obviously wrong calls within the game itself.
Driver: The primary driver was a desire to improve accuracy in the moment and to avoid situations where the entire game’s outcome could be determined by a single, undisputed error.
Mechanism: Coaches are given a limited number of challenges per game, allowing them to request a video review of specific plays.
Cricket’s Player Referral (Decision Review System)
Philosophical Origin: The Player Referral system was proposed in the legalistic spirit of the legal system.
Driver: It was conceived as a way to introduce a mechanism for appeals against umpire decisions, inspired by the idea of appellate function in law, making the review process a formal part of the game’s structure.
Mechanism: A player, rather than a coach, can challenge an umpire’s decision, referring the case to a third umpire, who uses technology like slow-motion replays to reach a decision.
Key Differences
Initiator: In baseball, a coach initiates the review, while in cricket, it is the player.
Purpose: Baseball’s replay is more about game continuity and immediate error correction, while cricket’s DRS evolved from a legal analogy to allow formal challenge of umpire decisions.
Evolution: Baseball’s replay started with umpire-initiated reviews and evolved to include coach challenges. Cricket’s player referral was a formal concept proposed to introduce a structured review system after a history of umpire errors.
Player Referral stemmed from an entirely different base of philosophical reasoning articulated for the first time in world history by Sri Lankan lawyer in 1997. It empowered players to challenge a wrong decision of an on field umpire which was previously treated as sacrosanct and beyond reproach.
Coach Referral was confined only to Baseball. Empowered only the Coach and never the players. It was not seen fit for adoption in Cricket ( rebranded by the ICC as DRS) and several other Major World Sports such as Soccer ( Goal Line Technology), Tennis ( Line Calling technology), Rugger, Badminton ( VAR – video assistant referee) and the idea is spreading rapidly as the appropriate mechanism for sports adjudication.
Senaka Weeraratna ( with AI assistance)