Sri Lanka's cricket administration resigns after years of decline
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka's cricket chief and his executive committee have resigned and the government has appointed an interim committee to revamp the game in the country, which has declined sharply over the past decade. Shammi Silva resigned as Sri Lanka Cricket president on Wednesday after holding the position continuously for seven years. Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage appointed politician and banker Eran Wickramaratne as the head of the new interim committee to run the game until new elections are held.
His nine-member committee also includes former international stars Kumar Sangakkara, Roshan Mahanama and Sidath Wettimuny. Sri Lanka's cricket administration had faced severe criticism from fans for the national team's continuous poor performances over many years. Spectators openly expressed their anger at the players after Sri Lanka failed to reach the semifinals of the recently concluded Twenty20 World Cup, which it co-hosted with India.
Sri Lanka played in eight semifinals and finals in International Cricket Council tournaments at its peak between 1996 and 2014, winning the 1996 World Cup and 2014 Twenty20 World Cup. But it has not played in a semifinal for 12 years. ___ AP cricket: https://apnews.
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