A key factor for the poor defence of the crown won in 1996 was the players' unprofessional behaviour, he said.

``I heard that even during practices, the players were using their mobile phones. They behaved as if they could not function without cellular phones,'' Sumathipala told the Sinhalese-language Lankadeepa Daily.

The phones, donated by a private telephone company, became a trade mark of the Sri Lankan players who were seen constantly chattering into them while making public appearances.

``We had complained to the management from time to time but they are not small children. If they negotiate their contracts like professionals then they must also behave like professionals.''

Sumathipala said the practice of players having their wives and children with them on tour may also have affected on-field performances.

``Itis a fundamental right of a player to have anyone he wants to be with him but they must also know to how to divide their time,'' he said.

Sumathipala said he was waiting for a report from team manager Duleep Mendis before beginning an inquiry into the disastrous performance in England.

The cricket board itself is embroiled in a controversy.

Sri Lanka president Chandrika Kumaratunga's uncle, Clifford Ratwatte, unsuccessfully contested against Sumathipala to head the cricket Board in march and later filed a court case challenging the vote.

The board has remained in uncertainty with the court suspending Sumathipala and his fellow elected office bearer and later reinstating them pending a final verdict.

Cricket board officials said they had sought police protection for seven team members who returned to the country last Friday together with four officials.

However, there were no fans to meet the players in sharp contrast to 1996 when they were given a heroes' welcome after winning the final againstAustralia to grab the World Cup for the first time.

The Sunday Times carried a picture of Sanath Jayasuriya greeted by a group of constables deployed to prevent possible violence against the team. The headline for the picture read: Zero welcome for hero.

Meanwhile, skipper Arjuna Ranatunga has vowed to continue playing despite calls for his ouster.

Ranatunga who stayed back in England and was spared the frosty reception at the Colombo International Airport said in a statement sent here that he wished to play on.

In his statement addressed to the cricket-loving public of Sri Lanka, Ranatunga expressed his profound regret for the debacle of the Sri Lankan team.

Sri Lanka's miserable World Cup ended with an unconvincing 45-run win over Group A minnows Kenya. Sri Lanka had earlier lost to England, South Africa and India but won against Zimbabwe.