Threatened with withholding of payments to their cricketers by the BCCI for violation of contract agreements with IPL franchises, the Sri Lankan Cricket Board and the Lankan Government had, in reversal of their earlier decision, finally agreed to the request of the Indian authorities and allowed their players to play for the IPL matches till May 18 as per their contracts.

Earlier, the Lankan Minister for Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage directed them to come back to Colombo by May 5 midway through the IPL season-4.

After the Indian cricket authorities warned that the Lankan players would not be paid their due amounts and the Lankan Cricket Board its due share of the 10 per cent of the fee, Sri Lankan cricket selectors and government officials held emergency consultations in Colombo on Thursday and said the Lankan players will fulfill their commitments and play for the IPL league matches till May 18.

The Lankan officials however refused to buy the argument that they have caved in due to the pressure by the BCCI and said they had always maintained good relations with the Indian cricket authorities.