SL reject BCCI request on IPL players

COLOMBO, Apr 20 (PTI): In what could strain the relations between the BCCI and Sri Lanka Cricket, the Lankan government and SLC have decided to stick to their decision of calling back national cricketers, playing in the IPL, by May 5. Early this month they had ordered the players to return to the country to prepare for the upcoming England tour. Though no meeting took place between the BCCI and SLC but Indian officials did speak to their Lankan counterparts on the matter and requested them to let their players play in the Twenty20 event at-least till May 15. But Sports Minister Mahindanada Aluthgamage and the cricket board (SLC) have decided to ignore the Indian request. A Sri Lankan cricket source said Wednesday that Aluthgamage, Sri Lanka Cricket and the national selection committee had lengthy deliberations Tuesday on the matter.