By Saroj Pathirana BBC Sinhala service

	Mr Sumathipala rejects allegations of financial irregularities while he was holding office

Thilanga Sumathipala told BBC Sandeshsaya that former interim committee members are accused of ruining the cricket administration in Sri Lanka.

Mr Sumathipala who declared his intention to contest the elections based on a "five-year development programme," was commenting on media reports that Nishantha Ranatunga, together with Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, are also planning to enter the contest.

“The only country in the world that runs with Rs billions of debt after hosting a World Cup is Sri Lanka," he added commenting on Mr Ranatunga's tenure during which DS de Silva served as the SLC president.

"So it will be very difficult for those who served in interim committees to hold the office again."

'Financial irregularities'

Mr Sumathipala is of the opinion that Mr Cabraal will not contest due to his responsibilities as the head of the main state bank.

	Mr Ranatunga refused to comment on media reports that he would contest the elections

When contacted by the BBC, Nishantha Ranatunga refused to comment.

The previous head of the interim committee, Upali Dharmadasa has already expressed his intention to contest the elections, scheduled to be held on 03 January, 2012.

Thilanga Sumathipala's last tenure as the head of the SLC was dissolved by Sports Minister Jeewan Kumaratunga in March 2005 alleging serious malpractices including financial irregularities.

“All those were false allegations," was the response by Mr Sumathipala.

"Never in Sri Lanka's history has there been an investigation into the conduct of a cricket administration. There was no investigation so logically there is no report," he told BBC Sinhala service.

Mr Sumathipala who's family owns a media network and bookmaking business also rejected the suggestion that he will be prevented from holding a cricket-related office by ICC rules due to his links with the bookmaking industry.

"Having already declared my business interests, I have already held director position in the ICC," he said alleging that many of his opponents are engaged in "mud slinging campaign."