Mar 07, Colombo: Elections for Sri Lanka Cricket board has become messy even before the vote scheduled to be taken on March 30.

Sri Lanka Ministry of Sports has informed the Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) that nomination of the incumbent Chairman Upali Dharmadasa should be rejected unless he submits written approval of the Minister of Sports.

Dharmadasa has filed a nomination for re-election for the position of Chairman of SLC.

However, a cricket association official filed an objection against the nomination of Dharmadasa to SLC presidency.

The objection was filed by Ervin Jayawardana of Kurunegala District Cricket Association who has filed nominations for the post of Vice Treasurer of SLC.

He has cited that the Dharmadasa's nomination is invalid since he had not played first class cricket and he has also not obtained the approval of the Minister of Sports for his nomination.

The issue was raised as a question by the opposition United National Party MP Buddhika Pathirana in the parliament today. He asked why the Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage approved the name of ruling party MP Thilanga Sumathipala without approving the name of Upali Dharmadasa, but the Minister declined to comment.

Sumathipala's nomination to contest for the presidency has also been challenged. Three parties have filed objections against his nomination based on his involvement in betting, media and sports equipment businesses.

The Sports Ministry has appointed a three-member committee to probe the objections against ruling party MP.

Incumbent Chairman Upali Dharmadasa, Thilanga Sumathipala and president of the Badureliya Cricket Association Sumith Perera contest to the post.