Sri Lanka changes decision to call back players from IPL

After negotiations with India’s cricket board, Sri Lanka has changed their decision of calling back their cricketers earlier from the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).
Earlier this month, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had asked their players to return back home by May 5, 2011.
On the other hand, the vice-president of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and franchises revealed that SLC had promised to allow their players to stay in the IPL till May 21, 2011.
BCCI sent a request to SLC for extending the stay of their players in India for IPL, but they did not receive any positive response.
SLC secretary, Nishantha Ranatunga, said that after discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, both the bodies have reached a consensus that Sri Lankan cricketing authorities would not call back their players if the cricketers manage to participate in the second warm-up match on May 19, because that preparation will be enough for the tour of England.
The tour includes three Tests, one Twenty20 and five One-Day Internationals (ODIs). The first match of the tour will be played on May 14, while the first Test match is scheduled to be started on May 26.
Sri Lanka’s sports Minister, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, earlier had said that in the future, players will only be allowed to play foreign leagues such as IPL, if it would not affect the national team.
The star players playing in the IPL are, Kumar Sangakkara, Lasith Malinga, Mahela Jayawardene, and, Tillakratne Dilshan.
Sangakkara has recently stepped down from the captaincy of Sri Lanka, following their exit in the final of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup 2011, at the hands of India.
Following Sangakkara’s decision, Jayawardene and four selectors including Aravinda de Silva also stood down from their posts. Dilshan is now appointed, as a new captain, who will lead his team in the upcoming series.
Pacer, Malinga, who has given a significant performance in the recently concluded mega-event, has refused to play in the three-match series, mentioning an injury.
However, his excuse raised controversies and the cricket officials of his country are expected to call him back for a rehabilitation programme.