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Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva resigns; government to appoint interim committee amid corruption allegations
Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva resigned on April 29, 2026, ending a seven-year tenure. The move follows a meeting with the president and sports minister, with the government planning to appoint an interim committee to run SLC amid corruption concerns and past ICC sanctions.
Why It Matters
The intervention marks direct government involvement in cricket governance and comes amid long-standing corruption allegations and ICC scrutiny over state interference.
Timeline
6 Events
April 29, 2026: ICC sanctions framing of resignation
April 29, 2026
The ESPNcricinfo report claims the situation was being framed as a voluntary resignation due to administrative failure to avoid potential ICC sanctions related to state interference.
April 29, 2026: Report of interim government-appointed SLC committee
April 29, 2026
An ESPNcricinfo report stated that an interim committee would be appointed directly by the government, led by Eran Wickramaratne, with former cricketers Sidath Wettimuny and Roshan Mahanama.
April 29, 2026: Administrative functions placed under Ministry
April 29, 2026
All administrative functions of Sri Lanka Cricket were to be temporarily brought under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, signaling immediate state control ahead of full elections.
April 29, 2026: Shammi Silva resigns as SLC president
April 29, 2026
Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva tendered his resignation from the post, effective today, ending a seven-year tenure and four consecutive terms.
April 24, 2026: SLC officials meet with President and Sports Minister
April 24, 2026
Office holders and executives of Sri Lanka Cricket meet with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage to discuss the tenure and a cordial end to Silva's leadership.
2023: Roshan Ranasinghe ouster and ICC sanction
2023
Roshan Ranasinghe is ousted as Sri Lanka's sports minister following a hostile stand-off with Shammi Silva; the ICC subsequently withholds funding and membership recognition, pending recognition of an elected body.