Speaking to the media after the SLC elections today (03), where he got elected, Sumathipala thanked president Maithripala Sirisena and sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekara for having held the election free of politics.

The new SLC president said he was thankful to those voted for and against him, and said he would work in cooperation with all the parties.

The newly-elected office bearers have the responsibility to take the game to the highest level, said Sumathipala.

All those who got elected at the election were from the Sumathipala faction.

Arjuna disappointed

Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, who contested unsuccessfully to be a vice president, told journalists that he was not satisfied with the conduct of the director general of sports during the election.

He said he has informed the president and the prime minister about the decisions taken by the DG of sports.

Ranatunga claimed he could win any election, but failed to do so here due to the existence of a cricket mafia, which won the day.

Whoever got elected should fulfill their responsibilities, he noted.