Sri Lanka Cricket secretary, Nishantha Ranatunga,today said it will not stop its players from participating in the IndianPremier League after getting assurances from the BCCI about their safety butmade it clear that the SLC will not accept political interference.
"I don't think Lankan players should boycott the IPLjust because of political party and views. The game should be kept away fromit. That is the SLC policy. BCCI has no reservations with regard to our playerscoming in. If they (BCCI) are supportive and want our players to come there, wewill be happy to do so," Nishantha told 'NDTV'.
"As long as BCCI is supporting our cricket, we support them.It it is our duty to make sure that if BCCI wants our players, it is ourresponsibility to provide them the players. In terms of political interferenceand involvement, we will not accept it. We will keep the relationship with theboard and take the game forward," he added.
Bowing to intense political pressure, top Sri Lankan playerswere withdrawn from the Chennai matches of the IPL after Tamil Nadu ChiefMinister Jayalalithaa refused to host them due to the growing politicaltensions in the state resulting from the treatment of ethnic Tamils in SriLanka.
Former captain Arjun Ranatunga had slammed the IPL GoverningCouncil's decision to withdraw Lanka cricketers from Chennai matches of thetournament and asked the players to opt out of the entire high-profile eventbeginning April 3.
Nishantha said after talks with their Sports Ministry and theBCCI, the SLC decided to allow its players for the IPL given they did notfeature in Chennai games. However, he made it clear that the players are freeto make their own decisions.
"I think it's my duty to explain the process followed.We wrote to the BCCI and in return they gave us an assurance about one weekback that they are taking maximum precautions and are evaluating the situation.
"Two days back, we got a communication from them thatit is advisable not to sympathise to Tamil Nadu because of happening there andwe contacted our Sports Ministry and they also said so," he said.
"From cricket boards point of view, we have told thatif players are ready to go, there is no objection and other than TN state, theycan go for IPL if they wish to. In case, there is a security issue, we will notallow our players to go. But at the end of the day, it's their decision to goor not," he said.
Nishantha said most of the people in Tamil Nadu would loveto see Sri Lankan players turning up for their respective franchises.
"Look at the people of Tamil Nadu, most ofthem would love to see Sri Lanka cricketers. Look at the background, we had aTN tournament 15-20 years back and this is how we started developing our game.There is a big relationship between the two countries and the two states. It isbecause of few people or few politicians....I don't think we shouls look atthat," he said.