Sri Lanka Cricket chief Shammi Silva set to quit, interim body to take charge
Synopsis
After seven years atop Sri Lanka Cricket, Shammi Silva is stepping down following back-to-back World Cup disappointments and ICC intervention over political interference. An interim body will take charge, with governance reforms and a new constitution on the agenda — a potential turning point for an administration long plagued by instability.
Key Takeaways
Shammi Silva , president of Sri Lanka Cricket since 2017, is set to resign on 28 April .
Pressure mounted after Sri Lanka's 2023 World Cup and T20 World Cup underperformance.
The ICC had suspended Sri Lanka when a previous interim committee was installed without proper process, forcing Silva's reinstatement.
An interim administration will take charge; Eran Wickramaratne and Suresh Subramaniam are among frontrunners for the top post.
Governance reforms based on Justice Chithrasiri's recommendations are expected to follow, including a new constitution.
Spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan led efforts to drive systemic reform through legal action.
Shammi Silva, the long-serving president of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), is expected to step down on Wednesday, 28 April, clearing the path for an interim administration to assume control of the island nation's cricket affairs, according to a report by Telecom Asia Sport.
Silva, who has been integral to SLC's operations since 2017 and held the presidency for seven years, has faced mounting pressure following Sri Lanka's underwhelming performances at the 2023 ICC World Cup in India and the recent T20 World Cup co-hosted with India. The veteran administrator, a former multi-sport athlete at Nalanda College and current president of Colombo Cricket Club, is understood to have agreed to step aside after meeting with current government officials.
The Road to Resignation
Pressure on Silva intensified after Sri Lanka's 2023 World Cup campaign drew sharp criticism from fans and stakeholders. The situation escalated when then-Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe removed Silva and installed an interim committee — a move that backfired when the International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended Sri Lanka for political interference. The government was forced to reinstate Silva, but his position continued to weaken.
The recent T20 World Cup failure, where Sri Lanka fell short of the semifinals, further eroded confidence in his leadership. According to the report, government officials subsequently met with Silva to discuss public sentiment, during which he agreed to relinquish his post.
What Comes Next
After chairing Tuesday's Executive Committee meeting, Silva is expected to formally announce his departure on Wednesday morning. Insiders suggest a comprehensive overhaul is underway, with the entire committee likely to step down and an interim body appointed to manage affairs until fresh elections are held.
Among the frontrunners to lead the new administration are Eran Wickramaratne, a former cricketer-turned-opposition politician, and Suresh Subramaniam, former head of the National Olympic Committee. Respected former players including Sidath Wettimuny, Kushil Gunasekara, and Roshan Mahanama are also expected to join the incoming set-up.
Governance Reforms on the Horizon
The new administration is expected to prioritize governance reforms, including adoption of a fresh constitution based on recommendations by Justice Chithrasiri. The blueprint aims to introduce transparency and professionalism, blending cricketing expertise with specialists in finance, law, and administration.
The reform push gained momentum when prominent figures, including spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan, pursued legal action to overhaul the system. The retired judge's report is viewed as a roadmap to stabilize SLC and restore credibility to Sri Lankan cricket administration.
Point of View
The real test is whether Sri Lankan cricket can insulate itself from political cycles and build sustainable governance. Without that, the next crisis is only a tournament away.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Shammi Silva and why is he resigning?
Shammi Silva is the long-serving president of Sri Lanka Cricket, holding the post for seven years since 2017. He is resigning due to mounting pressure stemming from Sri Lanka's underwhelming performances at the 2023 World Cup in India and the recent T20 World Cup co-hosted with India, combined with broader governance concerns.
When will Shammi Silva officially step down?
Silva is expected to formally announce his resignation on Wednesday, 28 April, after chairing the Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday, 27 April.
What happened when the government previously tried to remove Silva?
In a previous attempt to install an interim committee, the International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended Sri Lanka for political interference. The government was forced to reinstate Silva, but his position continued to weaken, ultimately leading to his voluntary resignation.
Who are the frontrunners to replace Shammi Silva?
Among the frontrunners are Eran Wickramaratne, a former cricketer-turned-opposition politician, and Suresh Subramaniam, former head of the National Olympic Committee. Respected former players including Sidath Wettimuny, Kushil Gunasekara, and Roshan Mahanama are also expected to be part of the new administration.
What governance reforms are planned?
The incoming administration is expected to adopt a new constitution based on recommendations by Justice Chithrasiri, aiming to introduce transparency and professionalism by blending cricketing expertise with specialists in finance, law, and administration.
