Shammi Silva out of Cricket Presidency?

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has issued a strict order to Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva to resign from his post with immediate effect, the Daily Mirror reported. It is reported that the President has taken this step, fulfilling a long-standing aspiration of anti-corruption activists and many who love cricket in this country.

Mr. Eran Wickramaratne, an opposition Member of Parliament and a former cricketer of Royal College Colombo, is to be appointed to the vacancy created by this resignation. A new interim committee will be established under this. The President has thus informed Mr. Shammi Silva to vacate his post as soon as possible, taking into account the strong pressures and protests from various parties, including players.

Mr. Shammi Silva, who held power at Sri Lanka Cricket for nearly eight years, faced strong criticism for suppressing his opponents amidst allegations of political patronage and vote-buying. However, a senior cabinet minister has informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the steps taken by the Sri Lankan government to change the current cricket board, which faces corruption charges, are purely an internal matter and has requested their approval, which is reportedly now granted.

His statements at press conferences in 2023, claiming that Sri Lanka Cricket is a private institution, drew strong disapproval from critics. Previously, when former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe challenged then-President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the minister lost his portfolio, but Shammi Silva managed to retain his position. However, four investigative reports prepared by retired Supreme Court judges and the Auditor General, as well as a cabinet sub-committee report headed by former Justice Minister Ali Sabry, revealed financial irregularities, nepotism, and autocratic governance within the cricket institution, strongly emphasizing the need for extensive reforms.

Recently, some parties accused President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of remaining silent on the issues of the cricket institution, contrary to his election campaign promise to clean up state institutions. However, with this strict decision now in effect, Mr. Shammi Silva, who will lose the immunity he has enjoyed so far, will have to account for the allegations of financial and administrative irregularities against him before the law. Meanwhile, it is further reported that he has requested the President for about another week before vacating his post.