Sri Lanka Cricket's  newly-elected chief Upali Dharmadasa organised a special pooja in the wake of the team's waning fortunes.

The move comes after Sri Lanka won just one Test in 2011, and the players have not been given salaries from April till December 2011.

Dharmadasa said that he obtained the services of a sorcerer to conduct the puja, which `forced the demons and other evil spirits to be driven out'.

"I am a businessman and I know the effects of these evil spirits," The Express Tribune quoted Dharmadasa, as saying.

He also downplayed the financial crisis that has plagued the board by dubbing it as a mere cash-flow problem.

The SLC is reportedly in a seven million rupee debt but Dharmadasa expressed hope that India's tour in July would generate around 15 million dollars.

"I have convinced all suppliers that we will pay them for their services in due course," he added.