Sri Lanka [Images] cricket board president Mohan de Silva is not to seek re-election at the end of month.

De Silva will make way for Thilanga Sumathipala, Sri Lanka's most powerful cricket administrator in the past decade, to return uncontested for a fifth term in charge.

De Silva said in a board media statement: "It was because I felt that Thilanga should be allowed to carry on the work he had started during his earlier tenure of office that I decided to step down and invite him to come forward."

Sumathipala's last term in 2003 ended in disgrace after he was held in police custody for several months after becoming entangled in an immigration scandal.

Although a criminal case is ongoing, Sumathipala's release on bail has allowed him to officially re-enter cricket politics and rebuild his reputation.

Former Sri Lanka great Aravinda de Silva has been nominated uncontested as one of two vice-president positions and is likely to remain in charge of cricket affairs after the board's annual meeting on March 27.