Sri Lanka retains Graeme Labrooy as chief selector

While former Test bowler Graeme Labrooy was retained as chief selector, former Test player Eric Upashantha made his debut on the panel.

Sri Lankan cricket team captain Dinesh Chandimal (right) speaks with Chairman of Selectors Graeme Labrooy during a departure event ahead of the West Indies tour in Colombo.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) named a new selectors panel for the national team on Monday after gambling allegations against the sport's national board president prompted government intervention.

While former Test bowler Graeme Labrooy was retained as chief selector, former Test player Eric Upashantha made his debut on the panel.

The sports ministry stepped in to manage the Sri Lanka Cricket board last week, after an appeals court suspended elections for the presidency to consider whether incumbent Thilanga Sumathipala should be allowed to contest the ballot.

Sumathipala has been accused of alleged links to gambling in breach of International Cricket Council regulations. However, he has denied any wrongdoing.

Sports Minister Faiszer Musthapha announced the new selection panel after Sumathipala's mandate ended on May 31. The court has suspended elections till June 14 at the earliest, with no fresh date confirmed for the vote.

The new selectors will have to name a squad to host next month's tour by South Africa who will play two Tests, five one-day internationals and a one-off T20.

The new selection panel: Graeme Labrooy, Gamini Wickremasinghe, Eric Upashantha, Chandika Hathurusingha and Jeryl Woutersz.