Sri Lanka Cricket President resigns, along with its top administrators

Sri Lanka's cricket administration, led by Shammi Silva, has resigned effective today, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed.

In a media statement, SLC said that the decision was formally communicated to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage.

The Sports Minister said an Interim Committee will be appointed to identify current issues within cricket administration and implement structural reforms within the governing body.

Context

Silva was elected as SLC President in 2019, defeating Jayantha Dharmadasa, and has held the position for seven years.

In the three subsequent elections held during that period, he was re-elected unopposed, with backing from the sports associations.

Having served in various roles in cricket for over thirty years, Silva is also the Chairman of the CCC (Colombo Cricket Club) and a former cricket and rugby player.

Earlier this month however, media reports claimed that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had met Silva and asked him to step down, or face being removed.

This request was made in the face of corruption allegations against Silva and the poor performances of the national team at the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup, which only intensified calls for the administration to step down.

Shammi’s defiance

Silva has previously resisted attempts at removing him as SLC President, claiming that SLC has never done better financially than under his leadership.

In 2023, an audit report by the Auditor General alleged that Silva and members of the Executive Committee had abused SLC finances and privileges before and during the 2022 Men's T20 World Cup in Australia.

Silva denied the allegations and said he would step down if they were proven to be true.

Later that year, Parliament debated and passed a resolution unanimously asking Silva and the Executive Committee to resign.

When the calls to resign were refused, then-Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe sacked the administration and appointed an interim committee led by Arjuna Ranatunga.

However, the world governing body the International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended Sri Lanka Cricket's membership, citing political interference.

The suspension resulted in Sri Lanka losing the hosting rights for the Under 19 Cricket World Cup in 2024.

It was reported by ESPNCricinfo, that Sri Lanka Cricket officials themselves requested the suspension, to illustrate that the government could not interfere with administration at SLC.

SLC's membership was reinstated when the Minister withdrew his decision and reinstated the Silva-led administration.