It was yet another attempt by a politician to earn mileage using cricket as a vehicle.

Sri Lankan Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage decided to take on the mighty Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) using his star players as pawns.

He ordered them to return from the Indian Premier League (IPL) for a coaching camp prior to the England tour — and ended up with egg on his face.

Aluthgamage ignored the fact that his board cleared their players for the IPL with no pre-conditions despite the England tour being scheduled long ago.

In the end, he tarnished the image of cricket in Sri Lanka and the cordial relationship with his neighbours.

It was another instance of the harm that can befall a Board by letting politicians interfere with cricketing affairs.

The drama this politician played out has a lot to do with an ego trip that began in Mumbai during the World Cup final when some of his Ministers were given Rs5,000 (Dh500) tickets for the final when Indian film stars occupied the VIP boxes.

These ministers were also subjected to security checks.

On return to Sri Lanka, Aluthgamage decided to use his players' power to teach the BCCI a lesson.

Like many a politician, he acted hastily without considering the long-term benefits of a cordial relationship with the cash-rich BCCI.

Third party

It is also suspected that a third party encouraged him to take on the Indian board and plan a parallel IPL-type tournament.

Soon the news reached the BCCI, who refused to even react to Aluthgamage's orders.

All the BCCI did was inform the Sri Lankan players they would stand to lose their IPL pay packet and their Board would lose their Rs20 million (Dh1.67 million) cut.

Aluthgamage now claims he agreed to let his players play until May 18 because of repeated requests from BCCI, which is nothing but a statement to save his lost pride.

It is said Aluthgamage also played a role in the resignation of their selection committee head Aravinda de Silva, as well as Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene's decision to give up the captaincy and vice-captaincy.

The sooner the Sri Lankan cricket closes the door on such political interference, the better it will be for the future of their cricket.