Following the departure of the executive committee and president Shammi Silva, the Sri Lankan government decided on Wednesday to assume control of the nation’s cricket board.
Following growing accusations of financial irregularities, Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake arranged a smooth exit for Sri Lanka Cricket chief Silva and other office bearers, who resigned on Tuesday.
“…Accordingly under the powers vested in him by sections 31 and 34 of the sports law no 25 of 1973, all administrative functions of Sri Lanka Cricket will be temporarily brought under the ministry of youth affairs and sports,” stated a release from Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage.
According to Gamage, the current group of office bearers’ resignations have been accepted.
According to the announcement, an interim committee would be formed soon to address the present problems in Sri Lankan cricket and carry out structural changes.
After the extraordinary executive committee deliberated for almost three hours on Tuesday, Silva made the decision to resign. Nevertheless, no explanation for the resignations was made public.
The administration has been considering firing Silva since early March due to player concerns and the Sri Lankan national team’s subpar performances abroad.
After winning the SLC presidency in 2019 by a majority vote of member clubs, Silva served as its chair for seven years. In 2021, 2023, and 2025, he was re-elected without opposition. In addition, Silva presided over the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) succeeding Jay Shah in 2025.
