Following a meeting with the officials of the Sri Lankan cricket board, Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge upheld Sri Lanka Cricket’s decision to allow Sri Lankan cricketers, who had taken part in the rebel Indian Cricket League, to play club cricket. Lokuge met cricket officials at the Sports Ministry yesterday and agreed to lift the ban that had been imposed by the previous cricket administration on five players and an umpire.

This means, Marvan Atapattu, Russel Arnold, Saman Jayantha, Upul Tharanga and Avishka Gunawardene, who were part of the ICL competition, will be available for selection for their respective clubs while umpire Ranmore Martinez could also return to officiate domestic games.

SLC’s decision was taken last week after an appeal by the banned players to allow them to take part in domestic cricket.

"It’s very clear. These players had asked to play domestic cricket and the board has allowed them. The request is only for club cricket and that’s fine. But they can’t represent the country at any stage," Lokuge told ‘The Island’ yesterday.

Issuing a media release last night, SLC further stated that: "Approval was granted for the ICL contracted Sri Lankan players for the upcoming Premier League Cricket Tournament only. All ICL contracted players will not be permitted to represent teams at District, Provincial and International level," the release further stated.

Lokuge also reiterated the need to maintain friendly ties with India.

"As cricket playing nations and as neighbours, we have to have good relations with India," he stated.

SLC’s move to lift the ban on ICL players has been welcomed at some corners and seen by many as the first instance a board has taken on the Board of Control for Cricket in India on the issue.

The Indian Premier League tournament run by the Indian board and sanctioned by the International Cricket Council has had negative impacts on several boards and Sri Lanka were at the receiving end after they were unable to free their players for a hastily arranged tour of England as players are refusing to take part in the series as they are likely to miss out on lucrative IPL contracts.

Worried by this negative impact the Indian board’s IPL tournament is having on the Sri Lankan cricketers, SLC took on the Indian cricket administrators head on by inviting all ICL contracted players for prize distribution ceremonies during India’s recent tour of Sri Lanka.

While some were worried whether the Sri Lanka board’s tactics might have antagonised the Indians and have an adverse effect on the future tours to Sri Lanka by India —which usually involve lucrative television right deals— SLC have remained confident that they have things under control.