New Delhi: Sri Lanka is thinking of overhauling its cricket board after a poor show at the T20 World Cup, Sports minister Sunil Kumara Gamage has said.
The tournament co-hosts lost all their three super eight stage games after losing to Zimbabwe in the group stage to get knocked out of the competition, which could trigger a “rebuild”.
“Discussions are underway with the ICC (International Cricket Council) to hand over the administration of SLC (Sri Lanka Cricket) to an interim committee to rebuild the sport,” Gamage said on Thursday.
Shammi Silva chaired current SLC committee’s tenure is till May 2027 and after their tournament exit a public protest demanding the current administration’s resignation erupted at its headquarters last week.
Gamage said the country’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is involved in discussions with the ICC on course correction.
“We can’t risk having a ban again from the ICC so must do everything in concurrence with the ICC,” Gamage said referring to past sanctions imposed on the country for interference.
Sri Lanka were suspended in 2024 when the then Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe sacked Silva on allegations of corruption.
The country was also stripped of Under-19 World Cup’s hosting rights, ICC awarding it to South Africa deeming government interfrence in SLC’s governance.
Sri Lanka’s Sports minister are empowered to discipline sports bodies as per a law of 1973 and Gamage said the government remain keen to facilitate the team’s rise to the top again.
They were the T20 World Cup champions in 2014 and finalists in two other previous editions.
Sri Lankan players have faced intense criticism for their flop show, prompting skipper Dasun Shanaka to complain about its excessiveness, urging the government to curb “negativity”.
Gamage has responded with an appeal to the public to refrain from castigating players.
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