Sumathipala trial begins

Thilanga Sumathipala: the trial has begun after three weeks in remand © Getty Images

The trial of Thilanga Sumathipala, the president of the Sri Lankan cricket board, began on February 10. Sumathipala, held in police custody since Jan 19, has been charged under the Immigration and Emmigration Act after allegations that he helped Amarasinghe, a known underworld gangster, travel to England to watch the 1999 World Cup on a false passport.

The opening day of the case centered on the medical state of Sumthaipala. He missed two earlier court appointments before being taken into custody on Jan 19, and was then held at National Hospital Merchant's Ward rather than Welikada Prison because of kidney problems and a spinal condition. Sumathipala appeared in court in a wheelchair.

The Chief Magistrate, Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena, ordered a full report from the Prison's Chief on February 12, when the case resumes, explaining why Sumathipala had not been remanded according to the terms of the initial court order. Weerawardena also ordered a further examination of Sumathipala's health from a judicial medical officer.

Dammika Ranatunga, the former chief executive of the cricket board and the brother of Arjuna Ranatunga, an outspoken critic of Sumathipala, and K Rajasingham, a former administrations officer at the board, were called to appear before the court on February 12 to give evidence in the case as the prosecution attempts to prove that Sumathipala knew Amarasinghe.

Sumathipala, now 40, coming to the end of his third term as board president, has already announced that he will not be standing for re-election when the board elections are held on March 28. A director of the International Cricket Council, he also pulled out of the next ICC Executive meeting in New Zealand.