Sumathipala hits back at authorities

Thilanga Sumathipala, the president of Sri Lanka's cricket board, has hit back at the authorities who have ordered his arrest. He has questioned the motive of the timing by the attorney-general and the solicitor-general of Sri Lanka, and has denied any involvement with Dhammika Amarasinghe, the underworld leader who he is alleged to have helped to obtain a fake passport.

In a press release issued by the board, Sumathipala said, about his arrest: "There is no order from any court, but only a letter issued by the attorney-general, which is an executive action. Regrettably this is on the very eve of the commencement of the England and Sri Lanka Test series, regardless of the damage to the country, that too, by the attorney-general and solicitor-general acting in random, giving rise to the question of the real motive."

He went on to say, "I regret to state that I am aware that the attorney-general and the solicitor-general have acted in a manner of not applying the law equally to all. I am able to cite several serious instances and I will at the appropriate time and forum."

"I categorically deny any involvement with the said underworld character who had supposed to have travelled to the UK," he continued, "as published in certain newspapers to tarnish my image."

Sumathipala then also alleged that he was the real victim in this case. "My lawyers have already made representations to the attorney-general and to the inspector-general of police of the leakage of the manner and the content of the investigative process to the Sunday Leader newspaper, which has carried on a scandalous campaign and conspiracy to kill me or have me killed."