The minister is hoping to contest for the post of Vice President of the SLC.

According to the SLC constitution, it is mandatory for all contestants vying for the posts of President, Secretary, Vice President, Vice Secretary, Treasurer and Vice Treasurer to represent a SLC committee or be an Executive committee member for 02 years.

Although a certain sect is of the notion that this rule does not apply to Arjuna as he is a former cricketer, there is nothing as such in the SLC constitution.

Arjuna is to enter the fray through the group led by his brother - Nishantha Ranatunga, who is a former SLC Secretary.

Thilanga Sumathipala is also to enter the fray this year.

Although a notion existed within the cricketing circles that politicians should not contest the upcoming SLC election, reliable sources say that Sumathipala has secured the backing of President Maithripala Sirisena to do so.

The Dharmadasa brothers' support is split between the two factions contesting the election as Jayantha Dharmadasa is backing the Thilanga faction while Upali Dharmadasa is backing the faction led by the Ranatunga brothers.