Sri Lanka's five-man selection panel will step down at the end of the one-day international series against India after protests over the team's slump in form, they said on Wednesday in a statement.
The panel, led by former captain Sanath Jayasuriya, came under pressure after Sri Lanka were beaten 3-0 in the home Test series against India. This intensified when the tourists took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the ongoing five-match ODI series.
Irate fans have staged protests against the team's poor form, some hurling water bottles to hold up play in Sunday's ODI against India at Pallekele.
"(We) have decided after serious consideration and deliberation to resign from our position at the end of the ongoing Indian series," the lengthy statement opened.
"We wish to state this decision is made in the best interest of the game, which is being damaged and hindered by undue criticism and false allegations instigated by interested parties with malicious intent.
"The heartbreaking incidents of unruly behaviour we witnessed at Pallakele last Sunday were the last straw for us, and we feel that it will serve this sport we love better if we step down, rather than allow the influence of these dark elements to poison the minds of our people ..."
Angelo Mathews stepped down last month as Sri Lankan captain in all formats after they succumbed to their first ODI series defeat to Zimbabwe.
Dinesh Chandimal was put in charge of the Test team, who were whitewashed 3-0 by India. They face similar humiliation in ODIs against their neighbours.
Sri Lanka are ranked world No.7 in Test cricket. They are eighth in the 50 and 20-over formats, in both of which they have won World Cups.
The selectors have been accused of lacking vision and making frequent changes to the squad, but Jayasuriya has blamed their struggles on a spate of injuries that have plagued the side over the past 12 months.
"We leave with tears in eyes, but with our heads held high as we know that Sri Lanka Cricket is working to a very defined and strategic plan, building from the foundation upwards," the statement said.
"We wish to thank every single Sri Lankan who loves this game as much, and even sometimes maybe more than we do, for their undying support and passion, and to remind them - it's always darkest before the dawn."
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