File photo: Sri Lankan players (AP Photo)

Sri Lanka cricket administration was plunged into fresh uncertainty on Tuesday when Sri Lanka Cricket’s executive committee resigned following government pressure to make way for a new leadership structure.According to officials, SLC president Shammi Silva called a special meeting to announce the resignation of the entire committee, despite 11 months remaining in his fourth two-year term.“The committee resigned to make way for an interim management team,” a board official told AFP on condition of anonymity. The new setup is expected to be led by a former investment banker who is also an opposition politician.The move comes after Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reportedly held discussions with Silva over the weekend regarding the restructuring of the board and the introduction of new governance.Governance concerns and previous ICC suspensionsSri Lanka Cricket, the country’s richest sports organization, has been accused of corruption and administrative mismanagement for a long time. The latest developments add to the ongoing investigation into its functioning.The International Cricket Council had suspended Sri Lanka’s membership in November 2023, citing political interference in board affairs – a rare but serious sanction. The suspension was lifted in January 2024 following assurances on autonomy, allowing Silva’s administration to return and remain in office.Sri Lanka’s struggles on the field have further compounded the crisis. The team recently suffered an early exit from the T20 World Cup, which it co-hosted with India, further intensifying calls for changes to the system.Silva had previously secured a fourth consecutive term unopposed, but the latest intervention signals a significant change in direction, with officials now pushing for reforms aimed at restoring credibility and stability to Sri Lankan cricket.