Sri Lanka Cricket hit by sudden resignations of president Shammi Silva, key officials

The president of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Shammi Silva and members of the board's executive committee have tendered their resignations amid mounting pressure after the team's Super Eight exit at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. They have even communicated their decision formally to the Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.

Earlier, Sanath Jayasuriya, who was the head coach of the Sri Lankan team at the signature event, had also resigned as the co-hosts failed to meet the expectations of fans on home soil.

As per a report by ESPNcricinfo, the Sri Lankan government is likely to put in place an interim committee, headed by former member of parliament Eran Wickramaratne, to oversee the day-to-day operations of Sri Lanka Cricket.

"The president of Sri Lanka Cricket, Mr Shammi Silva, has tendered his resignation from the post, effective today," an SLC media release said.

Silva's tenure as president began in February 2019 when he succeeded Thilanga Sumathipala. Silva then won four consecutive terms as he deepened his roots inside the board.

How will the ICC respond to the turmoil in SLC?

The International Cricket Council (ICC) had suspended SLC's membership after then Sri Lankan sports minister Roshan Ranasinghe used his authority to dissolve the board. The ICC had immediately stripped Sri Lanka of its funding and the hosting rights for the Men's U19 World Cup 2024.

The signature age-group event, which provides a platform to budding talent worldwide, was then shifted to South Africa. 

The challenge for Sri Lanka Cricket is as big as it can potentially get. Should the ICC take the mass resignation as a byproduct of political interference, it may take bold steps yet again to strip the board of its funding, and that would be a major jolt to the sport in the island nation.