Sumathipala turns down ICC role

Thilanga Sumathipala, the embattled former president of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), has announced that he does not intend to take up his role as SLC international affairs representative, which would include him being an ICC director, until he has cleared his name in an ongoing immigration and corruption scandal.

Sumathipala is still held in remand fighting a legal battle after becoming embroiled in a passport scandal late last year. Sumathipala was accused of helping a mafia figure travel to the UK on a false passport to watch the 1999 World Cup as a guest of the cricket board. Sumathipala has denied all the charges.

The scandal prompted Sumathipala to not stand for a third term as board president in the recent elections. However, he was unanimously appointed SLC's official representative for all international affairs at the Annual General Meeting despite still being held in police custody.

The media release from his personal communication manager said "Mr. Sumathipala thanked Sri Lanka Cricket for the confidence they have reposed in him and is more than willing to be of assistance for the improvement of Sri Lanka Cricket. But until his name is cleared of all accusations that are pending in the courts he does not intend to represent Sri Lanka Cricket in international affairs."