April 23, Colombo (LNW): At the latest Cabinet media briefing, it was clarified that circulating reports alleging President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had instructed Sri Lanka Cricket Chairman Shammi Silva to step down are inaccurate.
Addressing reporters, Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa explained that, based on the information currently available to him, no such directive has been issued. He further emphasised that the matter had not been tabled or deliberated upon during the Cabinet meeting.
During the question-and-answer session, a journalist referred to claims in the print media suggesting that the President had requested the resignation of the Sri Lanka Cricket Chairman, with plans to install an interim governing body. It was also reported that Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Eran Wickramaratne was being considered to head this proposed interim board. The journalist sought confirmation on whether these claims held any truth.
In response, Dr Jayatissa stated that the Cabinet had not engaged in any discussion regarding such developments. When pressed further on whether a decision had been reached on the matter, he replied that no determination had been made thus far.
When questioned directly about whether the President had explicitly asked the current Chairman to resign, the Minister reiterated that, to the best of his knowledge, no such request had been made. However, he acknowledged that public discourse around cricket administration continues to evolve and noted that the government remains mindful of the deep affection Sri Lankans have for the sport.
He added that the administration’s broader objective is to safeguard this national passion while ensuring the progressive development of cricket in the country. Any necessary decisions, he remarked, would be taken at an appropriate juncture. At present, he has not been briefed on any concrete discussions or actions in this regard.
Dr Jayatissa made these remarks at the Cabinet decisions media briefing held yesterday (22), offering a measured response amid growing speculation over potential changes within Sri Lanka Cricket’s leadership.