By Saroj Pathirana BBC Sinhala service

	Mr Dharmadasa rejects reports that his main rival was forced to withdraw from the race

Upali Dharmadasa told BBC Sandeshaya that the main reason for the SLC's financial troubles was the building of new stadiums to co-host the Cricket World Cup together with Bangladesh and India.

"This is a bit serious situation but the ICC is yet to pay some of the hosting fees and with upcoming Indian tour I think things will be settled by March or April," he said.

Thilanga Sumathipala who suddenly withdrew from the election told BBC Sandeshaya that Mr Dharmadasa had effectively been elected "uncontested."

There have been media reports that he was forced to withdraw from the race due to political pressure but Mr Sumathipala denies those reports.

Serious corruption

"I don't believe that anybody was under political pressure not to contest. I think everybody will be elected within a democratic framework," said Mr Dharmadasa.

If somebody argues that I did not field a candidate to support Nishantha it is simply unfair as my group has never contested for every position in the SLC Upali Dharmadasa

The former secretary of the SLC, Nishantha Ranatunga, meanwhile, contests for the same position as an independent candidate while Mr Dharmadasa's group has not fielded a candidate for the post of secretary.

The previous interim administration led by Mr Ranatunga and DS de Silva was accused of serious corruption by a parliamentary watchdog, committee on public enterprises (COPE).

But the team, as well as the sports minister, have denied allegations of corruption.

"If somebody argues that I did not field a candidate to support Nishantha it is simply unfair as my group has never contested for every position in the SLC," said Mr Dharmadasa, who has been highly critical of interim committees to run cricket in Sri Lanka.

"Even if Nishantha Ranatunga wins, I will have to work with him."

There was no immediate response from Mr Ranatunga.