Sri Lanka School Cricket Association (SLSCA) has demoted five outstation schools including four from Ratnapura District to Division III, the lowest division in the Under-17 tournament, the tournament secretary Kapila Jayalath told ‘The Island’ yesterday.

The schools have been demoted because of their non participation in the Division II tournament last year, the tournament secretary said.

The schools are Ananda Maithriya Balangoda, Kuruwita MMV, Gankanda MMV, Pelmadulla and Embilipitiya National School of Ratnapura District and S. Thomas’ College, Guruthalawa of Badulla District.

Incidentally, all these schools were in Group E in the first round of the Under-17 Division II tournament.

An official of a school said that they were unable to take part in the tournament due to lack of cricket equipment at the school. Officials of other schools were not available for comments.

He said that their participation for even this year’s Division III tournament remain uncertain as the school could not find funds to acquire needed equipment.