By Saroj Patrhirana BBC Sinhala Service

	Atapattu neither denies nor confirms that he is eying an international comeback

Atapattu told BBC Sandeshaya that Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) decision to ban players taking part in the ‘rebel’ Indian Cricket Leagues was unfair.

SLC last week announced that the ban imposed on Sri Lankan players who have contracts with the ICC-banned ICL was removed for domestic cricket.

The decision was taken after considering an appeal by five former national players, the SLC announced on Friday.

'Appeasing' India

A ‘delighted’ Atapattu said that he himself did not appeal for the ban to be removed but the clubs might have appealed on their behalf.

National cricketers are, however, allowed to take part in the ICC-authorised Indian Premier League (IPL), a franchise of the Indian cricket board.

I think other cricket boards should not seek Indian board's approval to control their own players. They only need the approval of the ICC. I think the main reason for these bans is that many people are trying to please the Indian board   Marvan Atapattu

“Either they should have ban both ICL and the IPL or players should have allowed to play in both leagues. I think it was unfair for them to ban one league and allow the players to take part in the other,” he said.

Marvan Atapattu was of the opinion that it was unnecessary for the SLC to appease the Indian cricket authorities.

“I think other cricket boards should not seek Indian board's approval to control their own players. They only need the approval of the ICC. I think the main reason for these bans is that many people are trying to please with the Indian board,” he added.

Return to national team?

The former skipper who was replaced by Mahela Jayawardena due to an injury says that he was unfairly treated by the cricket authorities at the end of his international career.

Atapattu who retired from international cricket last year is believed to be eying a come back to the national team as a result of lifting the ICL ban.

All ICL contracted cricketers will not be permitted to represent teams at District, Provincial and International level   SLC statement on Tuesday

When asked whether he would play for the national team again, Atapattu neither confirmed nor denied any such intention.

“If you were SLC, I would have given you the answer. But I can’t answer that as you are not the SLC,” he told BBCSinhala.com.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued on 23 September, the SLC said the ban was only lifted for the upcoming Premier League Cricket Tournament 2008.

“All ICL contracted cricketers will not be permitted to represent teams at District, Provincial and International level,” the statement said.