The Sri Lankan government has temporarily taken control of Sri Lanka Cricket, appointing a new nine-member interim administration to handle the board’s operations and begin promised structural reforms. The move was announced by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, which said all administrative functions of the cricket board would now come under the ministry.
Sri Lanka Cricket is widely known as the country’s wealthiest sporting body, but it has faced repeated allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and poor governance. These concerns have placed the organisation under heavy public and political scrutiny in recent years.
The newly appointed interim administration will be led by Eran Wickramaratne, a former investment banker and opposition politician. The committee also includes respected cricket figures such as former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, along with former Test players Sidath Wettimuny and Roshan Mahanama. Their role will be to review the current state of the board, address ongoing problems, and introduce changes aimed at improving the structure of cricket administration in the country.
The government’s intervention comes after Shammi Silva, who had served multiple terms as Sri Lanka Cricket president, resigned along with his full committee. His resignation followed growing pressure and the government’s decision to step into the board’s affairs.
However, the move may also raise fresh questions because the International Cricket Council has previously warned against political interference in cricket administration. In 2023, the ICC suspended Sri Lanka for two months over concerns linked to government involvement in the national cricket board.
Sri Lanka’s recent performance has also added to the pressure. The national team made an early exit from the T20 World Cup, which it co-hosted with India earlier this year. With the board now under temporary control, the focus will be on whether the interim committee can restore trust, strengthen governance, and improve the future direction of Sri Lankan cricket.
