Sri Lanka Cricket Board resigns after government pushes for reforms

Sri Lanka’s cricket governing body was plunged into fresh uncertainty on Tuesday after its executive committee resigned amid pressure from the government to make way for a new leadership structure.SLC Chairman Shammi Silva called a special meeting and announced the resignation of the entire committee, despite having 11 months left in his fourth two-year term, according to officials.“The committee resigned to make way for an interim management team,” a board official told AFP on condition of anonymity. The new body is expected to be led by a former investment banker who is also an opposition politician.Sri Lankan President Anura Kumar Dissanayake reportedly held discussions with Silva over the weekend to restructure the board and introduce new governance.Governance issues and past ICC suspensionsSri Lanka Cricket, the country’s richest sporting body, has long faced accusations of corruption and misadministration. The latest developments add to ongoing scrutiny of its operations.The International Cricket Council suspended Sri Lanka’s membership in November 2023, citing political interference in board affairs – a rare but serious sanction. After receiving guarantees of autonomy, the suspension was lifted in January 2024, allowing the Silva government to return to power.On the ground, Sri Lanka’s struggles are exacerbating the crisis. The team suffered an early exit from the recent T20 World Cup co-hosted with India, further fueling calls for change within the system.Silva previously ran for a fourth consecutive term unopposed, but the latest intervention marks a significant change of direction, with authorities now pushing for reforms aimed at restoring credibility and stability to Sri Lankan cricket.