Sumathipala, a ruling party legislator, has made a surprise entry to the fray after his failed bid to contest last year's election, which was the first for SLC in seven years.
The Sumathipala-led team was twice sacked by Sri Lankan sports ministers who appointed interim committees to run the cricket administration.
SLC was governed by a string of politically appointed interim committees since 2005 when the then sports minister Jeewan Kumaratunga sacked Sumathipala's elected set up.
His entry holds promise for an intriguing contest as he is likely be pitted against a former interim committee president Jayantha Dharmadasa, the elder brother of the incumbent Upali Dharmadasa.
The nominations for the election, slated to be held in March end, will close on Thursday. Over 300 officials of the SLC affiliated clubs and district associations representatives hold voting rights.