Muralitharan to face disciplinary inquiry

Muttiah Muralitharan will face a disciplinary inquiry conducted by the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) next week after remarks made in a recent live television chat show.

An interim committee member confirmed Friday that Muralitharan will face the inquiry: "We were to have the inquiry this evening (Friday), but had to put it off due to a request from Mr. Muralitharan who said he had a private function to attend."

The inquiry will now take place next week at the cricket board headquarters.

Cricket board chairman Hemaka Amarasuriya, chief executive Anura Tennakoon, as well as interim committee members Guy de Alwis, Lawrence Amarasena and Ranil Abeynaike will attend the inquiry.

"We brought down a tape from the television station which aired the interview and have previewed his remarks," said the interim member.

Muralitharan spoke about a wide range of issues, criticising the cricket administration, the role of businessmen in Sri Lankan cricket and the domestic cricket scene.

The BCCSL had given permission to Muralitharan to appear on the show, which was also attended by former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga, but had expected him to talk only about his recovery from injury and other cricketing matters.

If found guilty Muralitharan could either face a suspension or a fine.

Following the interview, sports minister Johnston Fernando slapped a media ban on all cricketers and board officials until the 2003 World Cup.