The Muralitharan controversy refuses to die down

But a spokesman told the BBC legal action against the ICC was on hold.

"The prime minister is going to request the ICC to reverse this ban," said the spokesman, Rohan Weliwata.

"Even though lawyers felt there were sufficient grounds to sue, the first step will be to present an appeal on behalf of Muralitharan."

Top British and Australian lawyers are reportedly being recruited to help put more pressure on the ICC.

Mr Rajapakse has already spoken to the president of the Indian cricket board, Jagmohan Dalmiya and Pakistan cricket board's chairman, Shahryar Khan.

"He is planning to speak to Bangladesh's top envoy in Sri Lanka soon," said Weliwata.

Muralitharan faces the prospect of a year-long ban if he continues to bowl his doosra, a ball which spins away from leg to off when bowled to right-handed batsmen.

But he told the BBC: " I am happy with the support I am getting from my country and elsewhere."

Muralitharan's bowling action has been under scrutiny since a home series against Australia in March when his doosra was reported to the ICC by match referee Chris Broad.

Tests were carried out by biomechanical experts at the University of Western Australia and the ICC outlawed the doosra after studying their findings.

There was further controversy when Australian Prime Minister John Howard was reported to have said that he believed Muralitharan's bowling action was illegal.

And the spinner, who holds the world record for Test wickets, has threatened to miss the tour to Australia in June and July as a result.