Sri Lanka’s Cricket administration resigns after years of decline

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’s cricket chief and his executive committee have resigned and the government has appointed an interim committee to revamp the game in the country, which has declined sharply over the past decade.

Shammi Silva resigned as Sri Lanka Cricket president on Wednesday after holding the position continuously for seven years.

Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage appointed politician and banker Eran Wickramaratne as the head of the new interim committee to run the game until new elections are held. His nine-member committee also includes former international stars Kumar Sangakkara, Roshan Mahanama and Sidath Wettimuny.

The Members of the Sri Lanka Cricket Restructuring Committee;

• Eran Wickramaratne – (Chairman)
• Roshan Mahanama 
• Kumar Sangakkara
• Thushira Radella
• Sidath Wettimuny 
• Ms. Avanthi Colombage 
• Prakash Schaffter 
• Upul Kumarapperuma 
• Dinal Philips

Sri Lanka’s cricket administration had faced severe criticism from fans for the national team’s continuous poor performances over many years.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is the country’s wealthiest sporting body but has been plagued by allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

Silva first assumed the presidency in February 2019, succeeding Thilanga Sumathipala, who himself was no stranger to allegations. Initially seen as a Sumathipala loyalist, Silva went on to consolidate his position, winning four consecutive terms, three of which were uncontested.

Spectators openly expressed their anger at the players after Sri Lanka failed to reach the semifinals of the recently concluded Twenty20 World Cup, which it co-hosted with India.

Sri Lanka played in eight semifinals and finals in International Cricket Council tournaments at its peak between 1996 and 2014, winning the 1996 World Cup and 2014 Twenty20 World Cup. But it has not played in a semifinal for 12 years.

World governing body the International Cricket Council (ICC) has a zero-tolerance policy toward government interference in cricket administration and has historically viewed any state-appointed body – whether an interim committee or a competent authority – as a breach of Article 2.4 (D).

The ICC suspended Sri Lanka for two months in 2023-2024 citing political interference in the running of the national board.