Colombo, Nov 29: Sri Lankan cricket chief Thilanga Sumathipala today denied he was in hiding following an order from the state attorney general for his arrest ahead of a home Test series against England. Press reports here today said the attorney general had told police there was sufficient evidence to arrest Sumathipala over his alleged links to a convicted criminal.
"I categorically deny any involvement with the said underworld character," Sumathipala said in a statement here. "I had already gone to the CID (criminal investigations department) and made statements."
"I am not avoiding this issue and will face it in court. Some media... have been speculating that I have gone into hiding. I have not, but will go before the court next week seeking justice," he added.
He questioned the motives of the state law officers in issuing an order for his arrest when England was touring the country.
England will play three Test matches in Sri Lanka, the first starting at Galle on Tuesday.
Colombo-based businessman Sumathipala is also the chairman of Sri Lanka telecom, the country's main telephone carrier, which is 35 per cent owned by Japan's NTT. Bureau Report