Sri Lanka's pioneer umpire K T Francis passes away

Renowned Sri Lankan umpire K T Francis, who stood in islanders' inaugural Test match in 1982, has passed away after losing battle against acute diabetes, family sources said today.

He was 73.

Francis died in a hospital yesterday, they said.

A Tamil, Francis along with Herbie Felsinger officiated in Sri Lanka's first-ever Test match against England here in February 1982.

He was a member of the ICC international panel of umpires and officiated in 25 Tests and 56 ODIs between 1982 and 1999.