Sri Lanka’s T20 league has been postponed indefinitely with the country’s cricket governing body remaining in turmoil.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed the indefinite postponements of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) which was slated to get underway next month while new dates for the competition will be announced only after a new governing body has been elected.
The SLC is being managed by an interim management body appointed by Sports Minister Faiszer Musthapha ever since Sri Lanka’s Court of Appeal suspended elections for the board in May this year.
“Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to inform that the LPL (T20) has been postponed indefinitely, until an elected body is constituted at the SLC,” a statement from the interim board read.
Sumathipala’s candidacy for re-elections was challenged by Ranatunga.
The drama at the board started after former SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga argued that outgoing president Thilanga Sumathipala was unsuitable for re-election due to his alleged links to gambling.
Sumathipala was pitted against Nishantha’s elder brother and former Sri Lanka skipper Arjuna Ranatunga before his validity was challenged. The Ranatunga brothers contend that ICC regulations forbid Sumathipala form holding office due to his alleged links to gambling, a claim the former SLC president has denied while acknowledging his family’s ties to the business.
The Lanka Premier League had kicked off in 2012 before coming to a stall due to organisational issues and lack of sponsors. It was supposed to be relaunched this year as a six-team affair.