Sri Lanka’s cricket governing body relinquished its positions on Tuesday following a government directive for the executive committee to step down for a new leadership, as per officials. Sri Lanka Cricket, the wealthiest sports organization in the country, has faced challenges related to alleged corruption and mismanagement.
A spokesperson from the board disclosed that President Shammi Silva called for a special meeting to announce his resignation, with nearly a year left in his fourth consecutive two-year tenure. The official, who requested anonymity, mentioned that the committee vacated their roles to allow for an interim management team led by a former investment banker and opposition figure.
According to a government source, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had a meeting with Silva to discuss the future direction of the board under a fresh leadership. Sri Lanka had an early exit from the T20 World Cup, which it co-hosted with India earlier in the year.
In a development last year, the International Cricket Council (ICC) suspended Sri Lanka’s membership due to reported political intervention in the board’s operations. However, the suspension was lifted by the end of January this year, leading to the restoration of Silva’s committee. He subsequently secured his fourth term as president without any opposition.