The mass resignations in Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have put the country’s cricket body in a big dilemma ahead of the ICC ODI World Cup 2027. Through an official statement, Sri Lanka’s cricket governing body has informed that some of their top officials including the President of SLC have resigned from their posts, effective today, April 29.
Along with the President, office bearers and members of the Executive Committee of SLC have also submitted their resignations in the sudden development. Why they have decided to step down from their respective roles was not mentioned in the press release.
Sri Lanka Cricket issued an official statement
It is reported that this decision has been formally communicated to His Excellency the President and the Honorable Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Government.
“The President of Sri Lanka Cricket, Mr. Shammi Silva has resigned from his post, with effect from today. Along with him, the office bearers and members of the Executive Committee of the SLC have also submitted their resignations,” read the official statement issued by the board.
It’s official
Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva has resigned from his post.
Post, effective from today. #sportspavilionlk #danushkarvinda #SLC pic.twitter.com/ithJMdofHU– Danushka Aravinda (@DanuskaAravinda) 29 April 2026
Why do officers step down from their posts?
“This decision has been formally communicated to His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Honorable Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr. Sunil Kumara Gamage,” it continued.
The mass resignations have reportedly come about due to growing public pressure and ongoing allegations of financial irregularities. Amid the tumultuous situation inside the board, Shammi Silva met the country’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and discussed the situation. After the discussion, it is believed that the President of Sri Lanka himself might have requested Silva to step down from the board.
According to media reports, it is understood that the government can now appoint an interim committee to deal with the crisis.
ESPN claimed in its report, “The government is now likely to appoint an interim committee, which will be chaired by former member of Parliament Aron Wickramaratne. Prominent former cricketers Sidath Wettimuny and Roshan Mahanama are also likely to be given roles in the new set-up to speed up reforms, although nothing has been made official yet.”
A new governing body has yet to be appointed
Silva’s resignation marked the end of a long-running regime. Shammi Silva took over the role in 2019, replacing Thilanga Sumathipala, who was also accused of corruption. Silva remained at the helm of Sri Lanka’s cricket governing body, winning four consecutive elections, three of which were unopposed.
During Silva’s reign, both the country’s men’s and women’s national cricket teams became winners of the Asia Cup titles. Apart from winning the Asia Cup title, the men’s cricket team suffered several setbacks which pushed them significantly back in the ICC team rankings. The 2026 T20 World Cup, where they co-hosted with India, suffered an early exit from the competition. He also failed to impress in the 2024 T20 World Cup. They finished 9th during the 2023 ODI World Cupth In the tournament.
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