Dambulla: Sri Lanka's newest international venue

Sri Lanka also staged the Youth World Cup and Asian Test Championship during his term of office and he was also involved in negotiating lucrative TV contracts.

Despite all his efforts and hard work, Sumathipala's detractors have other ideas about him.

He has been forced to put up with accusations of financial malpractice - none of which have ever been proved.

But a court ruled earlier this week that the BCCSL had not published a financial statement 30 days prior to an election of new officials - a requirement under Sri Lankan law and the Board's own constitution.

It ordered the BCCSL to postpone their scheduled AGM on 31 March by 30 days.

What happened immediately afterwards when Sports Minister Lakshman Kiriella decided to dissolve the Board was unexpected and equally baffling.

Why the minister had to discount all the good work of Sumathipala and suspend his entire board without inquiring into allegations made against them might cause a few eyebrows to be raised among cricket followers in the country

Thousands of England fans visited Sri Lanka for the Test series

After all, the highly successful tour by England, which has just concluded, brought in a total of 40 million rupees (approx. �320,000) from ticket sales alone, a record for Sri Lankan cricket, and also saw the formal opening of Dambulla.

In fairness to the interim committee appointed to oversee cricket matters, they are people of the highest order, including former Test players Sidath Wettimuny and Asantha de Mel.

The whole country hopes this situation will be resolved quickly, with the people in charge those who deserve it most.