President intervenes in Chandana retirement

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse has asked the country's sports minister to investigate allrounder Upul Chandana's retirement from international cricket.

Chandana had announced his retirement on Monday and lashed out at the national selectors saying that he was forced to take the decision because of the politics that existed in team selections.

Sports minister Gamini Lokuge said he would invite Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) officials and the national selection panel to discuss the matter.

"The president asked me to go into the reasons which led Chandana to announce his retirement," Lokuge told AFP. "Chandana had told the press that he was treated unfairly. So we have a duty to look into his grievances. If corrective action is needed, we will take them."

He said it was most likely the president himself would take part in the meeting which is expected before Monday. Rajapakse had previously intervened when veteran Sanath Jayasuriya announced his retirement in 2005.