Ranatunga accuses SLC of double standards

Arjuna Ranatunga receiving his letter of appointment from Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe with Sports Ministry Secretary Dr. Amal Harsha de Silva looking on

By Susil Premalal

Sri Lanka’s World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga blamed Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) authorities for neglecting the chances of hosting the Asia Cup Cricket Tournament in Colombo.

Ranatunga made these comments shortly after his new appointment as the Chairman of the National Sports Council.

“It is quite ridiculous that SLC has declined to host the Asia Cup due to unknown reasons, having earlier given their consent to host the more lucrative IPL T20 Tournament in Colombo,” Ranatunga questioned.

“SLC has also thrown away the chances of hosting the biggest cricketing event in Asia and the showpiece match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, which attracts the largest television audience in the world,” he stressed. 
“Our players had a good series after playing at home against Australia and Pakistan, and we had a great chance of winning the Asia Cup on our friendly home conditions,” Ranatunga emphasised.  

Members of the National Sports Council:
Arjuna Ranatunga - Chairman, Lieutenant General H.L.V.M. Liyanage, Air Marshal S.K. Pathirana, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugethenna, Amal Edirisooriya, Major General Rajitha Ampemohotti, Dr. Mayya Gunasekara, Sriyani Kulawansa, Lawyer Ajith Pathirana, Sunil Jayaweera, Krishantha Mendis, Lasitha Gunarathna, Nalinda Illangakoon, Sudath Chandrasekara and Sujani Bogollagama (Secretary)