Board crisis cripples Lanka’s premier league

COLOMBO, APRIL 11: Sri Lanka'S premier league cricket matches were indefinitely postponed following the suspension of the newly-elected c...

COLOMBO, APRIL 11: Sri Lanka’S premier league cricket matches were indefinitely postponed following the suspension of the newly-elected cricket board, officials said here today.

The matches were due to be played yesterday but the umpires decided against going ahead because of last week’s court ruling suspending the cricket board pending an inquiry into last month’s elections, officials said.

Colombo district judge A M A Salam ordered the newly-elected executive committee headed by Thilanga Sumathipala not to function until April 19, after a challenge by a defeated candidate is heard.

The chief executive officer of the board, Dhammika Ranatunga, who is not an elected member, said the committee that functioned until the march elections will now be in charge.

Sumathipala’s election is challenged by defeated candidate Clifford Ratwatte, who is a brother of prime minister Sirima Bandaranaike and an uncle of president Chandrika Kumaratunga.