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Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva Resigns in Major Shake-Up

Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva has resigned with immediate effect, along with the entire office bearers and Executive Committee. The resignations have been formally communicated to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage. Silva served four consecutive terms since February 2019, with three elections going unopposed. During his tenure, Sri Lanka's men's team struggled in major tournaments despite winning Asia Cup titles.

Key Points: Shammi Silva Resigns as Sri Lanka Cricket President

  • Shammi Silva resigns as SLC President
  • Entire executive committee steps down
  • Resignations communicated to President Dissanayake and Minister Gamage
  • Silva served four consecutive terms since 2019
2 min read

Sri Lanka Cricket Board President Shammi Silva and his team resign from position

Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva and his entire executive committee resign effective immediately, marking a major administrative shake-up.

"The President of Sri Lanka Cricket, Shammi Silva, has tendered his resignation from the post, effective today. - SLC media release"

Colombo, April 29

Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva has resigned from his post with immediate effect, the board confirmed in an official statement on Wednesday.

According to the SLC media release, the entire leadership structure of the board, including office bearers and members of the Executive Committee, has also stepped down as part of the decision.

"The President of Sri Lanka Cricket, Shammi Silva, has tendered his resignation from the post, effective today. Along with him, the office bearers and members of the Executive Committee of the SLC have also submitted their resignations," the statement said.

The resignations have been formally communicated to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage.

"This decision has been formally communicated to His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage," the SLC media release added.

The development marks a major administrative shake-up in Sri Lanka Cricket, though no immediate reason for the collective resignations has been officially disclosed.

Shammi Silva first took charge as SLC President in February 2019, replacing Thilanga Sumathipala, who had also faced corruption-related allegations during his tenure. Although Silva was initially considered close to Sumathipala, he gradually strengthened his hold on the role and went on to serve four consecutive terms, with three of those elections going unopposed.

According to ESPNcricinfo, during his seven-year tenure, while the men's and women's teams secured Asia Cup titles, consistent success has remained elusive. The men's team suffered a sharp dip in its ranking, as well as deflating exits at the 2023 ODI World Cup (finishing ninth) and the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cups - the latter co-hosted by Sri Lanka. And even the appointment of Gary Kirsten as head coach of the men's team earlier this month has failed to quell demands for a leadership change.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
It’s surprising to see a collective resignation without any clear reason given. Shammi Silva had a long tenure, but those consecutive unopposed elections raise questions about internal democracy. For Sri Lankan cricket to thrive, they need transparent governance. I hope this shake-up leads to better policies and player development.
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Vikram M
Honestly, it was overdue. The team’s performance in the last few World Cups was terrible, especially with that 9th place finish in 2023. Co-hosting the T20 World Cup and going out early must have hurt fans the most. Maybe it’s time for a younger, more dynamic leadership to rebuild Sri Lanka cricket. 🙏
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Ananya R
This is a significant moment for Sri Lanka cricket. While the Asia Cup titles show some success, consistent performance has been missing. I think the appointment of Gary Kirsten was a good step, but a leadership change at the top was necessary. I hope the new board focuses on grassroots development and nurturing young talent. No more corruption allegations, please! 🌟
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Michael C
It’s a bold move by the entire executive committee to step down together. It shows either a coordinated push for change or internal dissatisfaction. Sri Lanka has passionate cricket fans and a rich history—they deserve better. As an outsider, it’s impressive to see accountability being demanded at the highest level. Let’s see who takes charge next.
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Rohit P
The timing is interesting—this comes right after the World Cup disappointments. Shammi Silva’s long tenure without opposition felt a bit authoritarian. For growth, you need accountability

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