The Hindu : Former chief set to return to Lanka Board

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 15, 2003

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Former chief set to return to Lanka Board

COLOMBO MAY 14. Deposed former Sri Lankan cricket president Thilanga Sumathipala appeared set to return as head of the sport's national administration, saying Wednesday that he had the support of the majority of clubs.

Sumathipala and Arjuna Ranatunga, who guided Sri Lanka on its World Cup winning campaign in 1996, are the only candidates in the June 6 election for president of the national cricket board, which has been run by an interim committee since March 2001.

``My election as president is inevitable, as I have received the support of majority of the clubs,'' said Sumathipala, who now heads the state-run Sri Lanka Telecom. The nation's 44 cricket clubs elect Sri Lanka's cricket board.

When nominations closed Tuesday for the elections, Sumathipala's team of six officials for the board were elected unopposed, including former test skipper Aravinda de Silva as vice president.

Ranatunga, who is contesting for the post of president, did not withdraw his nomination.

``I don't like saying this, but Arjuna should support me, instead of opposing me,'' Sumathipala said. Ranatunga, who is now is a Member of Parliament, was not immediately available for comment.

Sumathipala won the last election in 1999 but stood down in 2001 after the government ordered an investigation into alleged financial irregularities and then appointed an interim board.

No official charges were laid after the investigation.

Sumathipala's re-election is considered inevitable given the popularity and power he yields among Sri Lanka's cricket clubs. In the 1999 elections, he defeated a close relative of President Chandrika Kumararunga.

The Sri Lankan cricket board is flush with funds that come from television broadcast rights, advertisements, gate sales and many other sources. Cricket is the most popular sport in this tropical island of 18.6 million people. — AP

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