Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala was elected the President of Sri Lanka cricket with a comfortable majority over his rival Nishantha Ranatunga this morning.

Sumathipala received 88 votes while Ranatunga, polled only 56 votes.

Sumathipala is a senior Cricket administrator who has held the SLC's top post before. There was a feud between him and Arjuna Ranataunga over the manner in which the SLC was run under Sumathipala's Presidency. 

The election was held amidst tight security at the SLC Headquarters. Police STF and anti - riot squads were deployed near SLC headquarters to beef up security. 

Nishantha Ranatunga was backed by the World Cup winning former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Arjuna Ranatunga.