Green light for Sumithipala in AGM
Charlie Austin - 16 January 2001

Thilanga Sumithipala appears to have been given the green light by the Attorney General's Department to seek another term in office at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL), which is scheduled to take place after the England tour of Sri Lanka.

In a letter addressed to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Attorney General's Department has dismissed objections made to Sumithiapala's candidacy by Clifford Ratwatte, a long time foe of Sumithipala.

Ratwatte had addressed a letter to the Sports Minister, Lakashman Kiriella, requesting that Sumithipala be prevented from contesting the election on the grounds that the incumbent President was in contempt of a District Court order, which prevented him from holding office and violated an interim injunction placed upon him.

The Sports Ministry then referred to the issue to the Attorney General's Department, who took just three days to examine the evidence and make a judgement.

The reply from the Attorney General stated that, in the case of the alleged violation of an Interim Injunction, the Sports Ministry did not have the jurisdiction to make a judgement, and that the issue should be settled by the individual parties in the aforesaid court.

The letter went on to state that, "there appears to be no order from the District Court preventing Mr. Sumithapala seeking election at the forthcoming Annual General Election."

If Thilanga Sumithiapala is allowed to stand for the Presidency, he is widely tipped to win the election and secure his third term in office. He appears to have the support of crucial cricket clubs and district cricket associations in the powerful outstation areas.

© CricInfo


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