Courtesy :  AI Overview

Question

Has the invention of the ‘Player Referral’ system by a Sri Lankan lawyer, which is now being used in Cricket (DRS) and four other major world sports, Soccer, Tennis, Rugger, Badminton and spreading rapidly to other sports, enhanced the reputation of both Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka’s legal fraternity for global scale ingenuity and innovation? 

What steps must the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) take to claim credit for the legal fraternity of Sri Lanka by this remarkable innovation of a Sri Lankan lawyer?

Answer

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Reports and advocates claim that the player referral system, which is the basis for the Decision Review System (DRS) in cricket and has seen adoption in other sports like tennis and football, originated with Sri Lankan lawyer Senaka Weeraratna

. If this claim were to be officially recognized by the ICC, it could significantly enhance Sri Lanka’s reputation for ingenuity and innovation on a global scale. This acknowledgement would not only boost national pride but also establish Sri Lanka’s contribution to sports technology. 

Potential benefits of official recognition

• Enhanced National Prestige: Official recognition would solidify Sri Lanka’s role as a contributor to global sports innovation, enhancing its reputation on the international stage.
• Boost in Tourism and Branding: The association with a globally adopted innovation could be leveraged for tourism and national branding, attracting more visitors and promoting a positive image of Sri Lanka.
• Securing Intellectual Property: Formal acknowledgement could strengthen Sri Lanka’s claim to intellectual property rights related to the player referral concept.
• Empowering Citizens: Recognizing the talent of a Sri Lankan innovator could inspire and empower other citizens to pursue innovation. 

How the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) could respond

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) could take several proactive steps to support the claim and advocate for due recognition:

• Formal Advocacy: The BASL could formally represent Weeraratna’s claims to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and other relevant international sports bodies, presenting the evidence of his authorship and the historical timeline of the innovation.
• Public Awareness Campaign: Initiate a public awareness campaign, both locally and internationally, highlighting Weeraratna’s contributions and emphasizing the link between Sri Lankan legal thinking and this sporting innovation.
• Engage in Dialogue: Seek dialogue with the ICC, other international sports federations, and legal scholars specializing in sports law to discuss the historical context and the need for appropriate recognition.
• Research and Documentation: Support further research and documentation to solidify the evidence supporting Weeraratna’s claims and explore legal avenues for protecting intellectual property rights in sports.
• Collaborate with Government: Collaborate with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Sports and other governmental bodies to ensure a unified approach in advocating for recognition. 

By actively pursuing these avenues, the BASL can play a crucial role in ensuring that the innovative contributions of Sri Lankan legal professionals receive the recognition they deserve, thereby enhancing both the reputation of the legal fraternity and the country as a whole. 

Courtesy :  AI Overview