Sri Lanka's England tour at risk

Muralitharan (centre) will not feature in the Test series in England

The decision to let Sri Lanka players compete in the Indian Premier League may threaten the 2009 tour to England, says the country's sports minister.

The Test series in May clashes with the IPL campaign, which will feature key players Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Muttiah Muralitharan.

"Any problems should be discussed and sorted," minister Gamini Lokuge said.

"I told the board to talk to England to find a way out early if they find it difficult to play the team we send."

A total of 13 Sri Lanka players are contracted to the IPL.

The sports minister told Sri Lanka Cricket that the players involved should be allowed to miss the Tests in England to compete in India.

"I told Sri Lanka Cricket to release the IPL-contracted Sri Lanka players to play the IPL tournament and select a team with the remaining group of players, who are also equally talented, for the England tour.

"But I understand that (the England and Wales Cricket Board's) television rights and income for the proposed tournament could be jeopardised if you do not send the star players."

The one-day international series between England and Sri Lanka may not be affected, as it begins on 27 May, two days after the six-week IPL finishes.