The Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA) on Tuesday (3), withdrew the appeal petition filed before the Supreme Court (SC) against the petition filed before the Court of Appeal by Mahanama College.

Mahanama had challenged the SLSCA’s decision to prohibit them from taking part in the Division-1 Under-19 Inter-School Cricket Tournament, based on a protest lodged by them over pitch and ground conditions for a match. 

The lawyers representing the SLSCA opted for this measure, after initial objections raised by the Attorneys appearing on behalf of Mahanama were upheld by the Court.

The petition was considered before a Bench of the Apex Court, consisting of Justices Kumuduni Wickremasinghe and Achala Vengappuli.

The petition filed by the SLSCA had named Mahanama College and its Deputy Principal W.S.H. Bandara, as the respondents.

Mahanama College had initially submitted a complaint to Court, challenging the decision taken by the SLSCA, to disallow them from taking part in the said tournament and it was thrown out.

This was based on the protest made by Mahanama, pertaining to the deteriorated state of the pitch, during its match against Trinity at Polonnaruwa Stadium.

Afterwards Mahanama had filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal against the rejected petition and the SLSCA had subsequently counter challenged it before the Supreme Court.

When the petition was taken up, President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha appeared for the respondent petitioners and raising initial objections he urged the Bench to dismiss the petition, as the affidavit that had been submitted along with the petition, had been replete with shortcomings.

Accordingly, the lawyers for the SLSCA sought the Court’s approval to withdraw its petition and the SC consented. 

(JK)