Arjuna slams Sanga and Mahela

17 September 2015 04:59 am - 21 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka’s world cup winning cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga who is presently the country’s Minister of Ports and Shipping, took a dig at two recently-retired cricket greats Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene at a public ceremony in Nittambuwa yesterday.

Ranatunga alleged that the two former Sri Lanka captains held onto their batting positions in the side for a long period, preventing the opportunity for the youngsters to be groomed, in turn, weakening Sri Lanka’s batting.

“Today, the discipline of the players has deteriorated completely. I played as the number four batsman and toward the latter part of my career, I moved down to number seven. That was in order to let other younger players have a chance to establish themselves in a batting position. But in the recent past, Sangakkara played at number three everyday. Mahela Jayawardene played at number four. They didn’t allow younger players to consolidate those positions,” said Ranatunga.

“But I don’t put the main blame on the players. I blame the administrators – former interim committee members. What they wanted was to please certain individual players. To let them enjoy personal profits. As a result, we failed to achieve victories as a team. Because of this, we are going to make it a policy for all players to accept playing for the country as their first priority. Money and positions would only be second and third priorities. First and foremost would be to play for the country,” claimed Ranatunga.

Ranatunga also revealed that we might contest the presidency of the SLC at the next election which is expected to be held in November this year. He said his final decision would be announced in two weeks as he is still discussing it with several parties.

“A lot of unwanted things happened in cricket in the recent past. I feel that we have to stop all that and support taking cricket forward. I am closer to the SLC Presidency. I will reveal that later,” said Ranatunga.

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Comments - 21

Aba Jayasekera Thursday, 17 September 2015 04:37 PM

Arjuna is a conceited man. He thought that the World Cup win was by him and him alone. So much so that when Dav Whatmore applied for a coachig position in India he refused to endorse him

len Wednesday, 23 September 2015 04:43 PM

Is this the same man who took his brother Sanjewa as a tourist round the world as a team member.

Bawani Vishvanathan Friday, 18 September 2015 02:17 PM

true... Arjuna is trying to be too smart i think.. what ever he says Sanga and Mahela are legends... cant change that. so dear minister look in to your ministry thats enough.

JB Friday, 18 September 2015 12:19 PM

Only thing that I remember arjuna did while he had power in board of cricket SL, was asking malinga to change his hair style to play for country.

mnsmart Thursday, 17 September 2015 06:07 PM

Yes both of them could have retired with you

kumaran Thursday, 17 September 2015 05:48 PM

All that our people, specially politicians are good at is "slamming". Suggest stop slamming, make peace with all and do your job.

S B Lokuge Thursday, 17 September 2015 05:45 PM

He came down the order to promote his brothers ahead of him and the next world cup was a disaster because of his stupid ego.

Rondy Thursday, 17 September 2015 05:36 PM

Further Gurusinghe had to do early retirement

sobers Thursday, 17 September 2015 05:10 PM

Sour grapes! If not for sanga and mahela, Losses would have been much more. Corruption and poor administration at SLC was the main cause.

chams Thursday, 17 September 2015 04:43 PM

When you were the captain you made sure only Ranatunga loyalists played for Sri Lanka leaving out many talented players. A classic example was the squad for Australia tour of 1998, the entire squad was from SSC.

Aquarius Thursday, 17 September 2015 04:41 PM

Please do not bring politics into sports. We have suffered enough. You have a Ministerial Portfolio, so please concentrate on that.

Jimmy Thursday, 17 September 2015 10:37 AM

Hypocrisy. He held onto Captaincy till he was kicked out.

gamarala Thursday, 17 September 2015 04:26 PM

What nonsense. He was so unfit as a player due to his ego and captaincy, he had no choice but to delay coming to the crease so that he had do the minimal in running

Darm Thursday, 17 September 2015 04:24 PM

Please blame MR for the past problems! It is Yahapalanam now and everything is fine.

liamsi Thursday, 17 September 2015 04:14 PM

ARJUNA HAS VERY IMPORTANT MINISTRIES TO HANDLE SO HE SHOULD NOT GET INVOLVED IN CRICKET BOARD...IF HE GETS IN HE WILL OVERULE THE SPORTS MINISTERS DECISONS.

Veda-mama Thursday, 17 September 2015 01:41 PM

Exactly! Trying a fast one.

lkboy Thursday, 17 September 2015 11:16 AM

How can you handle all these responsibilities? this is like greed.

Satha Thursday, 17 September 2015 11:07 AM

We know Arjuna is a man with policy,we honor him ,why does he wants to enter the Cricket Board and waste his time. He has a big responsibility at the Port.

Mason Thursday, 17 September 2015 11:05 AM

You were in the SLC administration once, but nothing worthy to comment happened to improve Cricket and/or administration.

DHA Thursday, 17 September 2015 10:40 AM

Dear Hon. Minister have you being consuming low cost booze lately ???

dave Thursday, 17 September 2015 10:38 AM

Yes, He is absolutely right. Though Sanga and Mahela are fantastic players, my respect are with Ranatunga in terms of Cricket.

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Arjuna slams Sanga and Mahela

Comments - 21

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