COLOMBO, Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan government seized control of the island’s crisis-ridden cricket board on Wednesday, appointing a nine-member interim administration tasked with carrying out “structural reforms” at the country’s wealthiest but most scandal-plagued sporting body.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has long been haunted by allegations of corruption and mismanagement. The International Cricket Council (ICC) had previously suspended Sri Lanka for two months in 2023-2024, citing political interference in the board’s affairs.
Sri Lanka’s government has assumed temporary control of Sri Lanka Cricket, citing the need for structural reforms. The move comes as the country’s richest sporting body continues to face long-standing allegations of corruption and mismanagement, with authorities stating the… pic.twitter.com/hCO6bxkF8v
— Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) April 29, 2026
“All administrative functions of Sri Lanka Cricket will be temporarily brought under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, effective today,” the ministry announced.
Fresh leadership takes over
Shortly after the announcement, the ministry named former investment banker and opposition politician Eran Wickramaratne as the new board chairman. Other appointees to the nine-member interim committee include legendary former captain Kumar Sangakkara as well as ex-Test players Sidath Wettimuny and Roshan Mahanama.
The ministry stated that the interim committee will “address the current issues in cricket and implement structural reforms.”
Sri Lanka Cricket Administration Under Ministry Oversight: Minister Accepts Resignation of Shammi Silva and Executive Committee
The Minister of Sports today accepted the resignation of the President of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Shammi Silva, and the Executive Committee.- MOS 🇱🇰 https://t.co/yigvmPK7L9 pic.twitter.com/CaGncCkKo7
— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) April 29, 2026
Resignations and ICC reaction
Four-time SLC president Shammi Silva and his entire committee resigned on Tuesday following the government’s intervention. AFP has reached out to the ICC for comment.
Sri Lanka’s recent struggles on the field have mirrored its administrative turmoil, with the team making an early exit from the T20 World Cup, which it co-hosted with India in February-March this year.
