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Court lifts suspension on Lankan board

The Colombo district court today lifted a temporary suspension on Sri Lanka's cricket board, saying the ban was detrimental to the interest of the team, which is in England to defend its World Cup title.

The court had suspended the board earlier this month after a controversial election.

District judge A M A Salim said he was immediately removing the three-week-old enjoining order, which had prevented the board from making decisions on anything other than routine office matters. The sports ministry had to appoint an interim committee to arrange for the Sri Lankan team's departure for England last week.

After losing the elections held on March 28, the board's presidential candidate, Clifford Ratwatte, who is the uncle of Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumaratunga, filed a court challenge. He said the election was unfair because it occurred amid scenes of violence.

The court suspended the board, initially for two weeks until the case was heard in court. As the case dragged on, the suspension was extended for another week.

It still was unresolved today, so Judge Salim postponed it until May seven, and in the meantime, removed the suspension.

The Sri Lankan team, reigning one day champions, left for England on Saturday to take part in a series of practise games ahead of the championship beginning on May 14.

UNI