The administration of cricket in Sri Lanka is once again embroiled in legal snags and controversy ahead of a due election of office bearers scheduled to be held on May 19.
It is now highly unlikely that the election will go ahead as opponents of the current cricket administration headed by Thilanga Sumathipala have protested that the date of the election was not decided by an Extraordinary General Meeting with the approval of the membership of Sri Lanka Cricket as required by the Sports Law.
In another development the Sports Ministry, which is usually represented at an election of cricket officials, has also raised objections and is seeking the advice of the Attorney General at the request of acting sports minister Faizer Mushtapha.
Sumathipala, the current Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) president who ended a two-year term this month, is seeking a second two-year term after the former sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekera amended the Sports Law before quitting his post early this month enabling elected sports administrators to seek re-election.
With time running out in accordance with laid down procedure, it appears it is likely that a stop-gap committee comprising current officials of SLC will run the affairs of the sport until an election is held in June or even July.
Minister Mushtapha is reported to have told SLC that according to the Sports Law an election can only be sanctioned by an Extraordinary General Meeting of its membership.
Having taken stock of the situation SLC is said to be making arrangements to call for an Extraordinary General Meeting within the next two weeks that will pave the way for the stipulated 40-day notice period to be given ahead of election day.
There is also another faction supportive of Sumathipala who claim that Jayasekera has given permission for the election to be held before leaving his post.
Currently there is no one who has come out publicly to challenge Sumathipala at an impending election. The current SLC chief is also facing charges of disregarding Constitutional Clauses that prohibits anyone with links to the Media from holding office in cricket administration.
Ranjan Ramanayake an outspoken government minister against corruption and malpractice has charged that Sumathipala is yet to prove his credentials as a legitimate cricket administrator.
Sumathipala is the owner of a Sinhala language newspaper.