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ICC green light for Interim Committee
By Marlon Fernandopulle
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has recognized the Minister of Sports appointed Interim Committee as the official body that will be running the cricket of the island bringing an end to the tug-of-war between the Interim committee and the recently elected body.

Speaking to The Sunday Times last afternoon the secretary of the Interim Committee Tryphon Mirando said, "We have been corresponding with the ICC and in touch with its Cheif Executive Malcolm Speed and President Eshan Mani over various matters in the past few days. The ICC has categorically stated that they will be dealing only with the Interim committee and not with any other body with regard to all matters relating to Sri Lanka Cricket".

Soon after suspending the activities of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the secretary of the Minister of Sports had written to the ICC informing the governing body of the decision and also on the appointment of the Interim Committee. The ICC has acknowledged this letter and informed it's membership accordingly.

Mirando, who has been associated with Sri Lanka Cricket even in the past has been entrusted with the task of liasing with the ICC on various matters. However with the Sri Lanka Cricket headquarters closed and it's staff sent on leave the IC secretary is facing a daunting task. "We are forced to operate in make shift offices. Most of our work is done either in my office or in Jayantha's (Chairman IC) office. On top of all this we do not have access to the files of Sri Lanka Cricket It's a difficult task, but we have no other option", said Mirando who however was optimistic about the future. "I believe within the next few days we will be able to sort out all these issues". He also reiterated that whatever the circumstances are it is the interim committee that is the legally recognized body today that has been entrusted with the task of running cricket.

When asked about the impending tasks ahead Mirando said, "We are aware of what has to be done. Already a host of past test cricketers have consented to serve in the various sub -committees that we hope to appoint shortly. No sooner we have access to Sri Lanka Cricket’s headquarters and it's files we will get the ball rolling".

Meanwhile an unsigned press release from the SLC said "Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to inform that its headquarters at No.35, Maitland Place,Colombo 07 will be closed for the Sinhala New Year from the 11th to the 19th April 2005.

At the same time its President Thilanga Sumathipala who has come under the wrath of the Minister of Sports Jeewan Kumaratunge took wings to the United States yesterday to follow a Senior Executive Programme on "Building New Ventures" at the Harvard Business School in Boston, USA. He is due back in the island on April 17.

One of the immediate tasks of the IC will be to reschedule the five match Indian tour which was postponed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) earlier this week. According to Mirando the IC will be speaking to their Indian counterparts shortly in order to schedule the postponed five one day games later this year.

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