 Winning the World Cup in 1996 was Ranatunga's finest hour |
Former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga has failed in his attempt to become president of the country's cricket board. He was defeated by former president Thilanga Sumathipala, who won a landslide victory with 121 of the 138 votes cast.
Ranatunga's former team-mate Aravinda de Silva, now a national team selector, will serve as vice-president after being elected unopposed.
The result will be a bitter blow for Ranatunga, who led Sri Lanka to victory over Australia in the 1996 World Cup final.
Following his retirement from the game three years ago, the 39-year-old subsequently entered politics and was elected to parliament for the People's Alliance party in 2001.
Ranatunga's candidacy followed his successful challenge against a government proposal to prohibit members of parliament from holding office in sports bodies.
He argued that such a rule was a "violation" of his rights.
Visionary
 Sumathipala has already had two spells in charge of the BCCSL |
Sri Lankan cricket has been run by various interim committees for more than two years since the last elected Board of Control (BCCSL), also headed by Sumathipala, was dissolved amid allegations of financial irregularities.
The decision was taken only two days after Ranatunga's brother, Dhammika, had been sacked as the Board's chief executive.
Nothing was proved, however, and Sumathipala was cleared to stand for the presidency again earlier this year.
He is seen as a man of vision, capable of increasing the county's influence in world cricket.
The building of the Rangiri Stadium at Dambulla was his pet project during his previous period in office, an inland ground which is not subject to the same seasonal climate changes which affect venues in the capital city, Colombo.
The stadium was embroiled in financial and land leasing disputes following the inaugural match two years ago, but recently staged a triangular series against Pakistan and New Zealand.
The main priorities for the new board will be to improve their finances, having announced a �1.6m loss for 2002, and find a new coach for the national team.
Australian Dav Whatmore was sacked as coach following the World Cup earlier this year but three overseas candidates identfied by the Board turned the job down.
Duleep Mendis, a former captain, team manager, and chairman of selectors, is currently coaching the team on their tour to the West Indies but Saumathipala has confirmed that another Australian, John Dyson, is top of his wanted list.
Dyson, 48, made 30 Test appearances between 1977 and 1984.
MMIX
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