By Saroj Pathirana BBC Sinhala Service

	Sri Lanka says the campaign affects the morale of the national cricket team

An ICC spokesman told BBC Sinhala that the world cricket governing body is "not involved" in the ongoing battle between the Sri Lanka government and the Amnesty International (AI).

"This is a matter between Amnesty International and the Sri Lankan government and as such, we are not involved," ICC Communications Officer James Fitzgerald said in an email message.

Play by the rules

The AI has launched "Play by the Rules" campaign to coincide with Cricket World Cup to focus on Sri Lanka's human rights violations.

The campaign called on both parties as well as other militant groups in Sri Lanka to take steps to prevent civilians caught between as violence intensifies.

This is a matter between Amnesty International and the Sri Lankan government and as such, we are not involved ICC Communications Officer

Sri Lanka government has protested to the ICC as well as the AI saying the timing might undermine the morale of the Sri Lanka team playing in Super 8 round currently in the Caribbean.

The government was pledged to "stop" the AI campaign by the ICC after the issue was raised, according to Sunday Times.

ICC has 'no authority'

But the ICC says it is determined to focus on the World Cup but nothing else.

	AI calls on both parties to invite human rights monitors to protect civilians

"We do not intend to let matches be politicised but equally we cannot stop lawful demonstrations if they are outside the ground and therefore out of our jurisdiction," James Fitzgerald told BBC Sandeshaya in an email message.

The AI meanwhile stressed that the campaign is not aimed at Sri Lanka cricket team.

AI campaign manager Robert Godden told bbcsinhala.com that the campaign is not targetting the Sri Lankan cricket team.

AI response

"Play by the rules" campaign is not carried out in or around grounds where Sri Lanka plays, he insisted.

It is not taking part inside World Cup venues. I haven't seen any evidence to support the claims made by the Sri Lanka government AI campaign manager, Robert Godden

"It is not taking part inside World Cup venues. I haven't seen any evidence to support the claims made by the Sri Lanka government," Godden told BBC Sandeshaya.

The campaign was launched in Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, India, Nepal and UK to sign white cricket balls urging the parties to invite independent human rights monitors.

Internal politics

The signed balls will be delivered to the Government as well as the LTTE, AI said in a statement.

The world cricket governing body is not interested in internal politics of any member country says the ICC.

"Our focus is very much on cricket at this time, not the internal politics of any of our members. Our priority remains the development of the game around the world through the staging of a successful World Cup," ICC Communication Officer said.

James Fitzgerald refused to comment on whether the campaign would affect the moral of the Sri Lankan players or final result of the Cricket World Cup.