Sri Lanka Cricket leadership crisis deepens as president urges resignation over corruption allegations |
Sri Lanka’s cricket administration has once again come under intense scrutiny, as President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reportedly asked the head of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Shammi Silva, to step down amid longstanding allegations of corruption and mismanagement. The move represents a significant escalation in a governance crisis that has persisted for years, raising serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and the future of one of the country’s most powerful sporting institutions.
According to local media reports, the president-who took office in 2024-has urged Silva to voluntarily resign from his position. Silva, who has led SLC for roughly seven years, has reportedly asked for a week to make his decision. When contacted for comment, Silva declined to confirm or deny the reports and did not respond to further inquiries. Likewise, Sri Lanka’s sports minister, Sunil Kumara Gamage, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) have not issued official statements on the matter.
Silva’s tenure has been marked by both administrative continuity and persistent controversy. While Sri Lanka Cricket has remained financially stable compared to many other national boards-largely due to income from broadcasting rights and international matches-the organization’s governance structure has repeatedly faced criticism. Observers argue that financial strength has masked deeper institutional weaknesses, including limited transparency in decision-making and the concentration of power among a small group of stakeholders.
The origins of the current crisis can be traced back to 2023, when then-president Ranil Wickremesinghe established a cabinet subcommittee........