Muralitharan cautioned by Sri Lankan board

The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) has cautioned Muttiah Muralitharan after comments made during a live television chat show.

During the programme the outspoken off-spinner had criticised the selectors, the role of businessmen in the cricket administration and the domestic cricket structure.

Muralitharan met with the BCCSL chairman Hemaka Amarasuriya, the chief executive Anura Tennekoon and other members of the interim administration on Tuesday.

A BCCSL media release stated: "The committee, whilst expressing their disappointment with the comments made by Mr. Muralitharan, cautioned and advised him to refrain from making such comments, and informed him that disciplinary action will be taken against him if he acted in this manner in the future."

The BCCSL had given permission for Muralitharan to appear on the show, but they had expected him to talk only about cricket and his recovery from a shoulder injury.

His comments prompted the sports minister, Johnston Fernando, to ban all independent media interviews with players and team officials until the 2003 ICC World Cup.

Muralitharan, who has taken 430 Test wickets at 23.33, has been rested from the ongoing Second Test match against Bangladesh.