Sri Lanka Cricket Hits Reset: Mass Resignations Lead to Modern Interim Committee
Sri Lanka cricket entered a new era on April 29, 2026, as the governing body underwent its most significant administrative shakeup in years. In a move that stunned the sporting community, the entire Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Executive Committee, led by four-time president Shammi Silva, resigned en masse. This collapse paved the way for the government to step in and establish a nine-member interim Transformation Committee to overhaul the sport’s governance at Maitland Place.
- Leadership Change: President Shammi Silva and the full Executive Committee resigned effective April 29, 2026.
- New Governance: Former MP and investment banker Eran Wickramaratne has been appointed as chairman of the interim committee.
- Legendary Input: Former national captains Kumar Sangakkara and Roshan Mahanama join the panel to guide the transformation.
- Catalysts for Change: The overhaul follows a decline in men’s team performance, financial irregularities, and pressure from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The Collapse of the Silva Administration
Shammi Silva’s tenure as SLC president began in 2019. Over the next seven years, he secured re-election in 2021, 2023, and 2025—all of them unopposed. His influence extended beyond national borders, as he also served as the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in 2025, succeeding Jay Shah.
Despite the titles, the administration faced mounting criticism over governance and financial irregularities. The breaking point arrived following Sri Lanka’s failure to reach the Super Eights stage of the T20 World Cup, an event the country co-hosted with India. This sporting failure, combined with a directive from President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for a change in dispensation, made the resignations inevitable.
In an official statement, the SLC confirmed the exit:
“The President of Sri Lanka Cricket, Mr. Shammi Silva, has tendered his resignation from the post, effective today. Along with him, the office bearers and members of the Executive Committee of the SLC have also submitted their resignations.”
The New Guard: The Transformation Committee
To prevent a power vacuum and initiate a complete reset, Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage constituted an interim committee. The goal is not merely to maintain operations but to transform how cricket is managed in Sri Lanka.
Committee Leadership and Composition
The committee is headed by Eran Wickramaratne, bringing a blend of political and financial expertise to the role. The panel is bolstered by the inclusion of former cricketing legends, ensuring that technical expertise informs administrative decisions.
The nine-member panel includes:
- Eran Wickramaratne (Chairman)
- Kumar Sangakkara (Former National Captain)
- Roshan Mahanama (Former National Captain)
- Sidath Wettimuny (Former Opener)
- Tushira Radella (Administrator)
- Avanti Colombage (Administrator)
- Prakash Schaffter (Administrator)
- Upul Kumarapperuma (Administrator)
- Dinal Philips (Administrator)
A History of Political Interference and Instability
This current crisis is not an isolated event but the culmination of years of instability. Between late 2023 and 2024, the International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended Sri Lanka Cricket for two months. The ICC cited direct political interference in the running of the national board as the primary reason for the sanction.
The appointment of the interim committee is seen as a critical step to rectify these governance failures and restore the board’s standing with the ICC. By integrating former players like Sangakkara and Mahanama, the government aims to bridge the gap between administrative policy and the actual needs of the national teams.
Looking Forward: The Path to Recovery
The “reset button” pushed at Maitland Place represents more than just a change in personnel; it is a systemic attempt to decouple the sport from political volatility. The interim committee now faces the daunting task of stabilizing the board’s finances and implementing a high-performance structure to reverse the decline of the national men’s team.
As the cricketing world watches, the success of this Transformation Committee will depend on its ability to move from interim management to a sustainable, transparent, and independent governance model.