SLC to settle Chilaw Marians 'sale'

The interim committee that controls Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) says that it will try to settle a dispute over the alleged sale of a Sri Lankan cricket club.

Ervin Fernando who insists he is still the president of the Chilaw Marians Cricket Club (CMCC) says that the club has been sold without his knowledge.

However, CMCC general secretary Godfrey Dabarera told BBC Sandeshaya that no such sale ever took place.

“Ervin Fernando is not the president of the club. He was a former president but Anura Weerasinghe is the current president,” Mr Dabarera said.

Sri Lankan media reported that the club has been sold to a powerful ruling party politician for a sum believed to be in the region of SLR 17-20m.

'Pressure' on national players

If the sale has already been agreed, it is the first ever sale of a cricket club in Sri Lanka.

SLC chairman Upali Dharmadasa told BBC Sandeshaya that the SLC will call upon both parties in the dispute and discuss the way forward after the current tour by the Australian team is over.

"We are yet to be officially informed. The interim committee and I came to know that through newspapers," said the SLC chief.

However, the SLC chairman said that the cricket board has no authority to stop such a sale.

The SLC chief rejected suggestions that national cricket stars are under pressure to join the new club may lead to another cricket crisis.

"Nobody should be worried about any crisis. It has been the normal practise for the players to be transferred between clubs and I think it is the right of any player not only in cricket but also in football," Mr Dharmadasa said.

He said no Sri Lanka player is under political influence to play for any club or for the country.