Sports Minister suspends Thilanga Sumathipala from SLC

Sports Minister Harin Fernando has suspended Thilanga Sumathipala from functioning as a Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) office bearer pending an inquiry over his position.

In a letter to the local cricketing body, Minister Fernando instructed that Mr. Sumathipala be suspended from his position at SLC, until further notice.

The Sports Minister had appointed a committee comprising Dhammika Muthugala - Director General (Development Sports Department), Shiromi Ranwaka - Sports Ministry Legal Officer and retired Air Force officer S.D. Piyadasa to determine whether Mr. Sumathipala could continue to hold office in line with the current law.

The Sports Minister had amended the law last month to ensure that anyone–or any member of his immediate family–who has an interest in betting is disqualified from holding office.

Mr. Fernando said that the three-member committee had been appointed after taking into consideration a complaint filed against Sumathipala, by the Piliyandala Town Sports Club on August 30.

The committee is due to submit its report within one month starting from today (Sept 11)