• Says ICC would have suspended SLC if not for consensus of trio
• Wants CTC to urgently address shortcomings in players

Former Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara claims that he firmly believes the previous Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) administration led by Shammi Silva had been removed following an understanding reached between the President, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and International Cricket Council (ICC) Chair Jay Shah.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian made this allegation during the ‘Derana 360’ political talk show broadcast early last week.

Jayasekara, who served as Sports Minister from 2015 to 2018 under former President Maithripala Sirisena, maintained that if not for such a mutual understanding between the trio, Sri Lanka would have by now run the risk of a suspension by the Dubai-based institution.

“I strongly feel that the ICC had been balanced on this occasion by the President through his close connections with Indian Prime Minister Modi,” the Member of Parliament (MP) told the talk-show host.

“As part of this understanding, the Indian leader would have advised ICC head Jay Shah to allow the smooth transition of power at SLC to a so-called Cricket Transformation Committee (CTC) till elections are held. This is probably what transpired with regard to the Shammi Silva-led Executive Committee stepping down late last month,” he added.

The lawmaker from the Kurunegala District explained that if not for an understanding or pact reached between the main protagonists of the drama, the ICC would have imposed a suspension on Sri Lanka’s membership as last happened in 2023.

The ICC banned Sri Lanka citing political intervention on 10 November of that year, following then Minister Roshan Ranasinghe’s decision to fire the Silva-led Executive Committee after the national team’s dismal display at the ICC Men’s 50-over World Cup in India.

However, Silva petitioned the Court of Appeal against his arbitrary ouster by the Minister and being replaced by a caretaker committee under Arjuna Ranatunga, and succeeded in obtaining a stay order. 

Jayasekara also stated that if the two leaders of Sri Lanka and India and the ICC Chair had not reached a consensus on the recent change in the SLC administration, its former head Silva would have already petitioned the courts. This would have been in order to ensure his stay at the Maitland Place institution, being a legally elected administration.

“It is also obvious as to why Shammi decided to quit so quietly when asked to do so,” Jayasekara stated.

“That is because Jay Shah, with whom he is quite close, would have also advised Shammi to step aside till an election is held so that he could ensure one of his officials could contest the next election of office-bearers.”

Asked for his views on the formation of the new CTC headed by former Parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne, the SJB MP added that it was made up of knowledgeable individuals and described Wickramaratne as a seasoned administrator allied to his political nous.

However, he declined to pass judgement on the move, stating that the new committee would have to address shortcomings not only in the administrative sphere but also in relation to the players.

“In my opinion, areas such as discipline, fitness, and match concentration of players need urgent remedial work if Sri Lanka is to restart its journey to get back to the top across all formats. The players have to show consistency in each of these areas, or else, the so-called transformation brought about by this Government will turn out to be a false dawn in time to come,” Jayasekara said.