The Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka took a decision to suspend Mr. Suresh Perera, a member of the Sinhalese Sports Club team, for two matches, on the recommendation of the Disciplinary Committee of the BCCSL, following an inquiry into complaints from Umpires Gamini Silva and J.W.K. Boteju at a match between the SSC and Moors Sports Club at the CCC Grounds from February 8-10.

Mr. Perera was suspended in relation to the charge by the two umpires that on two occasions he deliberately overstepped the popping crease and bowled bouncers at Moors SC players Mr. Chandika Haturusinghe and Mr. Charinda Fernando, and brought the game into disrepute by this action. The Disciplinary Committee considered this to be a charge of a very serious nature.

According to the report of the Disciplinary Committee, Mr. Perera was confronted with the evidence of the umpires, and admitted the charges against him. The evidence of the umpires, corroborated to a large extent by Mr. Perera himself in a signed statement given in the presence of Mr. Mahinda Halangoda of the SSC, established beyond doubt that he on two occasions deliberately overstepped the popping crease by about two feet sending bouncers at Mr. Haturusinghe and Mr. Fernando.

Contrary to incorrect media reports, the inquiry was not regarding a midfield confrontation between Mr. Perera and Mr. Haturusinghe. Neither was Mr. Perera's suspension premeditated or a deliberate attempt to victimize him, as the Executive Committee of the SSC has alleged. The BCCSL's Disciplinary Committee also refutes the allegation that it violated norms of ethical conduct. (

© BCCSL