COLOMBO, March 31: Sri Lanka’s cricket governing body has lodged an appeal against its suspension by the government over alleged financial irregularities, cricket chief Thilanga Sumathipala said on Thursday.

Sri Lanka Cricket petitioned the Court of Appeal late on Wednesday seeking the lifting of its suspension slapped by Sports Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga a week ago, Sumathipala said.

“We are seeking court intervention to ensure that the minister does not take any further action in relation to cricket without giving us a hearing,” Sumathipala, who was elected to his post last week, said.

A date for the hearing has yet to be announced.

Sumathipala said the minister’s action in suspending Sri Lanka Cricket meant they could not function as an officially recognised national body, but it had no implication for their membership of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Sri Lanka Cricket is incorporated as a private company but it is also registered with the sports ministry so that it can represent the country at international events.

Sports minister Kumaratunga sacked Sri Lanka Cricket’s governing body last week amid allegations of financial irregularities and appointed an interim committee to oversee the game.

Kumaratunga’s action came just three days before Sumathipala, a leading Colombo businessman, was unanimously elected president of the organization.

The sports ministry has accused Cricket Sri Lanka of unspecified financial irregularities. No formal charges have been brought against Sri Lanka Cricket management.

Sri Lanka Cricket offices have remained closed since last week and employees have been asked to stay away on paid leave.

The national team is currently in New Zealand, but officials said the crisis in the administration would not have any immediate implications on them.

—AFP