Sri Lanka Cricket Board dissolved

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka cricket sports minister dissolved the country's administration on Friday amid allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage appoint an interim committee to run the sport, Department spokesman Harsha ABEYKOON said. Aluthgamage has not announced plans for elections for a new board.

ABEYKOON Minister said the new administration will announce later Friday.

Sri Lanka cricket has been run by successive interim committees - composed of people favored by the politicians of the day - for seven years.

The International Cricket Council decided unanimously at its annual conference this week to change its laws to mandate free elections in 2012.

The administration dismissed, headed by former test bowler National Somachandra Silva, was accused of waste and corruption.

Sri Lanka Cricket, once the richest sports body of the nation, has debts of more than $ 15 million after co-hosting the World Cup earlier this year with India and Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka Cricket said the cost of building a new cricket ground near the southern city of Hambantota and upgrades to two existing sites for the World Cup has blown $ 11 million to 40 million, creating much of the financial constraint. He sought a $ 1.8 million from the government to help ease the burden.

Sri Lanka government has dismissed previous councils elected and appointed government citing corruption but no legal action was taken.

Sri Lanka, which hosted 12 matches in the World Cup, reached the final of the tournament on April 2, losing to India, Mumbai. (AP)