The Appeals Court today dismissed a petition filed by MP Thilanga Sumathipala against the Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) seeking to suspend the SLC election.

Sumathipala filed a writ application with the Court of Appeal against the rejection of his nomination to contest for the presidency of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on April 2.

The petition was filed seeking a writ order against the Sports Minister and SLC officials.

The petition states that Sumathipala’s nomination was rejected under pressure from the Sports Minister and that the minister had postponed the cricket elections even though official term of the board had ended on March 30.

Citing that he had previously served as president of the national cricket board for 5 years and had also represented Sri Lanka in the International Cricket Council (ICC) board, Sumathipala in the appeal states that there is no justifiable reason to reject his nomination.

The parliamentarian therefore requests court to issue a writ order revoking the rejection of his nomination and that the SLC election scheduled for April 16 be suspended.  

However, lawyers appearing on behalf of the Sports Minister stated that Sri Lanka Cricket could lose its international status if Sumathipala is elected as President and therefore cannot allow him to contest for the post.

Appeal Court chairman S. Sri Skandaraja decided to reject the petition without taking it up for hearing.

Three major cricket clubs had raised objections to the candidacy of Sumathipala which was consequently investigated by a committee appointed by the sports minister.

Sumathipala’s nomination was rejected by the ministry in line with the findings of that committee and upon consultation with the attorney general.

The nominations of other aspirants including incumbent Chairman Upali Dharmadasa and President of the Badureliya Cricket Association Sumith Perera were also rejected by the cricket board.

The elections of officials to Sri Lanka Cricket scheduled for March 30, was postponed to April 16 due to the controversy over the nomination.

Jayantha Dharmadasa was nominated for the post of President by the SLC Executive Committee last week.