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The total silence of BCCI and the Govt. of India on the ownership of the Intellectual Property of Player – Referral system (DRS) which is rightfully claimed by a Sri Lankan makes a mockery of India’s so – called Cricket Friendship with Sri Lanka. It is tantamount to a betrayal of Sri Lanka by India in the International Cricket arena 

AI Overview

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The claim that a Sri Lankan, specifically lawyer Senaka Weeraratna, is the original inventor of the “Player Referral” concept—which later became the Decision Review System (DRS)—is supported by documentation showing his proposals were published as early as March 1997 in The Australian, nine years before the ICC adopted the system in 2006. 

Weeraratna has been actively pressing his claim to be recognized as the inventor, seeking to have the system referred to as the “Weeraratna Decision Review System” (WDRS) or to at least receive recognition similar to the “Duckworth Lewis” method. 

Here are the key points regarding the situation:

• ICC’s Stance: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has previously stated that their committees developed the system independently and were unaware of Weeraratna’s prior publications, though this defense fails to account for the legal “Doctrine of Constructive Notice”.
• Lack of Recognition: Despite his efforts, which have included presenting his case to ICC officials and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Weeraratna has not received formal recognition or compensation for the widespread use of DRS, which he argues is a breach of intellectual property rights.
• Sri Lankan Action: There have been calls from various parties for the Sri Lanka Cricket Board and the Sri Lankan government to establish a commission of inquiry and take this matter to the ICC on his behalf, especially since DRS is used globally without royalties being paid to the claimant.
• BCCI/India Position: While India was initially against the implementation of the DRS (boycotting it for several years), the BCCI eventually adopted the system. Reports suggest that while Indian fans and some officials are beginning to recognize its importance, there has not been a formal stance taken by the BCCI or the Indian government on the intellectual property ownership claims. 

Indian and Sri Lankan Institutional Silence

The perceived silence from Indian and Sri Lankan authorities has been a point of contention for Weeraratna and his supporters:

• BCCI & Indian Govt.: There is no evidence of the BCCI or the Indian Government formally addressing or supporting

Weeraratna’s

claim. Supporters often contrast this with India’s successful promotion of other cultural/intellectual exports like International Yoga Day.

• Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC): Critics within Sri Lanka have also accused the SLC and the Sri Lankan government of failing to aggressively pursue the claim at the ICC level to secure recognition or royalties for the country.
• Legal Challenges:

Weeraratna

has attempted to sue the ICC and has sought arbitration through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), but these efforts have not yet resulted in formal legal victory or recognition. 

The situation is characterized as a “David vs. Goliath” battle where a local creator is seeking to gain recognition for an idea that has become a fundamental, revenue-generating part of the international game. 

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Source: AI Overview

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Watch “DRS, Snicko, Hot Spot, Hawkeye & Umpire’s call explained and Sri Lankan lawyer Senaka Weeraratna identified as the world’s first person to conceive and publish the concept of ‘ Player Referral” which is the true basis of the Umpire Decision Review System ( UDRS or DRS).

https://youtu.be/5tuTDJaS2ik?si=t4FRU4vvM7A43_NL

Please visit

https://youtu.be/5tuTDJaS2ik?si=j3lKkUcWkUw

The reference to Senàka Weeraratna is found at 2.40 minute in this video playback program. 

Senaka Weeraratna’s opinion has been published as a comment No.5 

Both the International Cricket Council (ICC ) and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) must respond to the points made in his comment, if they are to remain credible.

One of the most controversial and misunderstood aspects of Cricket is the use of the Umpire Decision Review System or DRS. Cricket has come a long way since India assimilated Science and Technology into the game which has re-defined how it is played today. But many people are still unsure how DRS works, especially Umpire’s call. Pale Blue Thoughts looks at DRS, Snicko, Hot Spot, Hawk Eye and Umpire’s call in detail. If you watch and love cricket, this video is for you!

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