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Sports

SLC deeper into the quagmire
Contradicting statements from IC Chairman Dharmadasa and SSP Lugoda
By Marlon Fernandopulle
The crisis at Sri Lanka Cricket is set to deepen further with speculation rife at the Cricket Board Headquarters at Maitland Place which has been closed and locked up since the 28th of March.

The Chairman of the Ministry appointed Interim Committee, Jayantha Dharmadasa speaking to The Sunday Times yesterday said, "The court order issued on Thursday (31st of March) has strengthened the hand of the appointed interim committee as it states that the suspension of Sri Lanka Cricket stays and shall remain in force. Hence, we expect the Police to act on this and open up the SLC premises for the interim committee".

The court order was given after SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala and his committee instituted a law suit against sports minister Jeevan Kumaranatunge for suspending Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). The court also issued an interim order restraining the sports minister and the ministry secretary from making any further order with regard to Sri Lanka Cricket until the 12th of April.

The Ministry of Sports has already lodged a complaint with the Cinnamon Gardens Police station with regard to the closure of the Cricket Board headquarters and the inability of the Interim Committee members to enter the premises.The Secretary of the Interim Committee Tryphon Mirando was of the view that his committee has the powers to conduct the affairs of the Cricket Board. However Mirando said, "With the SLC closed there is nothing we can do about it".

Director Colombo Crime Division SSP D.S. Lugoda commenting on the issue said " It's a civil matter. No one can prevent the Interim Committee from entering the SLC headquarters. The police will not prevent any one or protect any one. Police action if any will depend on the outcome after 11-4-2005, once the court stay order is over".

Speculation was also rife that the Sports Minister was planning to get a fresh court order to squash the restraining order issued earlier and open up the Cricket Board Headquarters.

Meanwhile the President of SLC Thilanga Sumathipala held an emergency Exco meeting on Friday evening to discuss matters relating to the recent developments. Sumathipala who had earlier ordered Chief Executive Duleep Mendis to close SLC on Monday said that SLC will open as usual this week. "We will have a skeleton staff tomorrow and more by Tuesday".

Sumathipala refrained from making any comments on the current situation as the matter is before court, however he reiterated that ultimately it's the game that will have to suffer due to all these actions.

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