by Priyalal Sirisena

Additional District Judge L. S. Abeygunaratne yesterday vacated the interim injunction issued on June 10, 1999 restraining Thilanga Sumathipala from functioning in his office as the Chairman of the Board of Cricket of Sri Lanka (BCCSL).

The injunction had been issued on an application made by Clifford Ratwatte stating that the election for the BCCSL held on March 28, 1999 for the year 1999-2000, is unlawful and should be suspended. Following the application, the District Court of Colombo issued the said injunction on June 10th, 1999 restraining the respondents from functioning or holding offices in the BCCSL.

The twenty two respondents including Thilanga Sumathipala sought to vacate the interim injunction on September 09, 2000. The trial judge stated that an aggrieved party can claim an injunction and the court may issue such injunction subject to the desecretion of the court. He further held that the injunction has no effect on the election held for the year 2000-2001 and the calling for nomination by the Director of Sport Development Department, and hence election held is valid and lawful.