Sri Lanka Cricket board steps down after government push for overhaul

Sri Lanka’s cricket administration was plunged into fresh uncertainty on Tuesday after the executive committee of Sri Lanka Cricket stepped down following government pressure to make way for a new leadership structure.

According to officials, SLC president Shammi Silva convened a special meeting to announce the resignation of the entire committee, despite having 11 months remaining in his fourth two-year term.

“The committee resigned to make way for an interim management team,” a board official told AFP on condition of anonymity. The new setup is expected to be led by a former investment banker who is also an opposition politician.

The move comes after Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reportedly held discussions with Silva over the weekend regarding restructuring the board and introducing fresh governance.

Governance concerns and past ICC suspension
Sri Lanka Cricket, the country’s wealthiest sporting body, has long faced allegations of corruption and administrative mismanagement. The latest developments add to ongoing scrutiny over its functioning.

The International Cricket Council had suspended Sri Lanka’s membership in November 2023, citing political interference in board affairs — a rare but serious sanction. The suspension was lifted in January 2024 after assurances over autonomy, allowing Silva’s administration to return and continue in office.

On the field, Sri Lanka’s struggles have compounded the crisis. The team endured an early exit from the recent T20 World Cup, which it co-hosted alongside India, further intensifying calls for change within the system.

Silva had earlier secured a fourth consecutive term unopposed, but the latest intervention signals a significant shift in direction, with authorities now pushing for reforms aimed at restoring credibility and stability to Sri Lanka cricket.