COLOMBO, Dec 13: Sri Lanka's cricket governing body is suing a private insurance company in a bid to recover nearly US$12 million lost when a home series was abandoned, officials said Wednesday.

“We have filed action as the company refused to pay the claim giving various excuses,” a Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) official said.

The triangular one-day series involving the hosts, South Africa and India was scrapped after the Proteas raised security concerns on the conflict-torn island.

The South Africans left for home after a claymore mine blamed on Tamil rebels blew up the car of Pakistan's Ambassador Bashir Ali Mohmand and killed four of his guards. The diplomat escaped unhurt.

The complaint, filed by SLC in the Colombo Commercial High Court, seeks to recover losses of $11.9 million due to the cancellation of the tournament.—AFP