Mass resignation of Shammi Silva and Ex Co – Way open now to SLC under new leadership to prioritize demand for recognition of the groundbreaking ‘Player Referral’ system (DRS) as a Sri Lankan innovation by ICC
Posted on April 29th, 2026
Senaka Weeraratna
The mass resignation of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Shammi Silva and the entire Executive Committee (ExCo) was officially confirmed on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. This voluntary exit, reportedly requested by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to avoid a forced “sacking” and potential ICC suspension, has paved the way for an interim committee to take control.
Resignation and Transition Details
- Effective Date: Resignations were finalized on April 29, 2026, ending Shammi Silva’s seven-year tenure.
- Interim Leadership: The government is set to appoint an interim committee, likely headed by former MP Eran Wickramaratne.
- Reform Goals: Prominent former cricketers like Sidath Wettimuny and Roshan Mahanama are tipped for roles to fast-track structural reforms.
- Ministry Control: All administrative functions of SLC have been temporarily brought under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports as per Sections 31 and 34 of the Sports Law.
Demand for DRS Innovation Recognition
The new leadership is expected to face public and professional pressure to prioritize the long-standing demand for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to recognize the Decision Review System (DRS) as a Sri Lankan innovation.
- Origin of Innovation: The core concept of ‘Player Referral’ was conceived by Sri Lankan lawyer Senaka Weeraratna and first published in The Australian on March 25, 1997 and the ‘Sunday Times’ (Sri Lanka) on April 06, April, 1997 as a letter to the Editor.
- Key Elements: Weeraratna’s original proposal included the four pillars of the modern DRS:
- Allowing players to challenge decisions.
- Routing appeals through the captain or dismissed batsman.
- Review by the third umpire using slow-motion technology.
- Limiting the number of appeals per innings.
- Status of Recognition: Despite the ICC officially introducing the system in 2009—incorporating these exact elements—it has never credited an inventor. ICC is legally presumed to have prior knowledge of Weeraratna’s pioneering invention 9 years before ICC came up with the idea of UDRS or DRS in 2006, under the Legal Doctrine of Constructive Notice.
- Supporters argue that with a new, reform-minded administration at Sri Lanka Cricket, there is a fresh opportunity to formally press the ICC for “reparative justice” and global acknowledgment of this Sri Lankan contribution to the sport and payment of resulting Royalties to help the financially struggling country i.e., Sri Lanka.
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Source: AI Overview