Shammi Silva

Shammi Silva
ශම්මි ශිරාජ් සිල්වා
29th President of Asian Cricket Council
Incumbent
Assumed office
6 December 2024
Vice PresidentOman Pankaj Khimji
Preceded byIndia Jay Shah
Personal details
Born
Atulugamage Shammi Shiraj Silva

(1960-08-07) 7 August 1960 (age 64)
Colombo
NationalitySri Lankan
SpouseRoberta
Children
  • Shashinka (daughter)
  • Shanilka (daughter)
Parents
  • Piyadasa (father)
  • Seelawathie (mother)
RelativesDilruk (brother)
EducationNalanda College, Colombo
OccupationCricket Administrator

Atulugamage Shammi Shiraj Silva (Sinhala: අටුලුගමගේ ෂම්මි ශිරාජ් සිල්වා, born 7 August 1960) is a sports administrator, and the former president (2019/2022) of Sri Lanka Cricket.[1][2][3] Shammi was elected as President of SLC for another two year term when the election was held on 20 May 2021.[4] Throughout his tenure, Silva and the Sri Lanka Cricket Board has been accused by various parties of corruption, financial mismanagement and match-fixing allegations, sparking public outcry.[5][6][7][8][9]

Early childhood

Shammi Silva was born in Colombo and attended Nalanda College, Colombo. At school he played shot put, discus throw and javelin throw.[10] In 1980 Silva captained Nalanda's first XI cricket team.[11]

Later life

After leaving school Silva continued playing cricket and captained Colombo Cricket Club in 1983/84.[12] Silva also played Squash (sport), resulting him winning National Colours and representing Sri Lanka Squash Team. He then became the manager and coach for Sri Lanka Squash team.[13]

Silva was also one time Chairman of the Colombo Gymkhana Club.[14][15][16][17]

Shammi is also the President of Colombo Gymkhana Club.[18][19] Sports minister Roshan Ranasinghe has suspended the cricket board headed by Shammi and has appointed former captain Arjuna Ranatunga to head an interim administration of the cricket board.[20]

General references

  1. ^ "SLC Executive Committee - Office Bearers". Sri Lanka Cricket.
  2. ^ "Atapattu appointment runs into controversy". Daily Mirror. 26 April 2014.
  3. ^ Shammi Silva elected as SLC President
  4. ^ Shammi Silva set to regain control of Sri Lanka Cricket
  5. ^ "Entire Sri Lanka Cricket Board sacked following humiliating World Cup loss to India". Hindustan Times. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  6. ^ "The Saga continues…". Print Edition - The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Sri Lanka court restores sacked cricket board in latest twist". France 24. 7 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  8. ^ "Shammi ready to resign if allegations of financial misuse proven to be true - Breaking News | Daily Mirror". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  9. ^ Perera, Jagath (14 February 2021). "Sri Lanka Cricket officials under thundering scrutiny". Island Cricket. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  10. ^ Epasinghe, Premasara (1 August 2005). "All-round and outstanding sports personality". Daily News.
  11. ^ "51st Battle of the Maroons Nalanda Team". Battle of the Maroons.
  12. ^ Shammi's qualities as a captain
  13. ^ All-round and outstanding sports personality
  14. ^ "Sanath has been led up the 'Gum Tree' – Shammi Silva". The Island. 17 February 2014.
  15. ^ de Silva, Channaka (24 July 2015). "Gymkhana Club mired in controversy".
  16. ^ "Excise spotlight on Gymkhana Club". Sunday Leader. 30 November 2008.
  17. ^ de Silva, Marisa. "CH&FC Vs. UDA-CMC". Sunday Times.
  18. ^ The Best for Sri Lanka Cricket - BUSINESS TODAY[permanent dead link‍]
  19. ^ Shammi continues to Head CH & FC
  20. ^ "Sri Lanka sports minister sacks cricket board; Arjuna Ranatunga to helm new interim board". The Economic Times. 6 November 2023. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 6 November 2023.