Sri Lanka Cricket: Interim Committee Appointed Under Irfan’s Leadership
01-May-2026.
The Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket, headed by its President Shammi Silva, resigned on April 30. Following this, Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage appointed an interim administration committee headed by former United People’s Power MP Irfan Wickramaratne.
Former Sri Lankan cricket stars such as Sidath Wettimuny, Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara have also been included in the interim committee.
Shammi Silva, who has served as President of Sri Lanka Cricket since 2019, was re-elected for a fourth term at the election held in March last year.
Following Sri Lanka’s poor performance in the recent T20 World Cup tournament, strong calls were raised demanding the appointment of a new administration for Sri Lanka Cricket.
In this context, reports had emerged that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had requested the Executive Committee led by Shammi Silva to resign.
At a special meeting held on April 28, the Executive Committee headed by Shammi Silva decided to resign. Subsequently, on April 29, Shammi Silva and the committee members officially announced their resignation, which was accepted by Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage.
In accordance with the powers vested under Sections 31 and 34 of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973, the Ministry announced that all administrative activities of Sri Lanka Cricket would, with effect from April 30, be temporarily brought under the purview of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Thereafter, Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage appointed a reform committee (interim administration committee) headed by former Deputy Finance Minister and former United People’s Power MP Irfan Wickramaratne.
The nine-member committee includes Sidath Wettimuny, Roshan Mahanama, Kumar Sangakkara, Prakash Schafter, Thushira Ratelle, Avanthi Colombage, Upul Kumarapperuma and Dinal Phillips.
Irfan Wickramaratne (68) is a former student of Royal College, Colombo, and was a member of the school’s cricket team.
He participated in inter-school cricket tournaments and displayed his talent as an outstanding batsman at the national school level.
In 1977, he played as an opening batsman for the Tamil Union Cricket Club team and also played in England’s Kent Amateur League.
