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I will never enter politics: Sanga

13 August 2018 10:19 am - 40     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former star cricketer Kumar Sangakkara confirmed that he will never enter politics despite varying opinions and speculations from both public and media on his imminent entry into politics as a possible candidate for the presidential election in 2020.

Posting a statement on his facebook, Sangakkara said politics and public service was a very serious responsibility and that public duty should always be served with accountability and integrity holding sacrosanct the public trust.

Full Statement:

I would like to put to rest speculation and rumour once and for all, confirming that I do not harbour any ambitions for political office. I never have, and, with enormous certainty, I can say I never will.

I have read with a sense of concern reports of my imminent entry into politics in Sri Lanka as a possible candidate for the presidential election in 2020.

I was also made aware of varying opinions and speculations on this from both members of the public and media. I have, by what I hear and read, been touted as a suitable candidate by some while that others have questioned my credibility and character. While respectfully appreciating the varying diverse opinions made public, I would like to put to rest speculation and rumour once and for all, confirming that I do not harbour any ambitions for political office. I never have, and, with enormous certainty, I can say I never will.

I believe that politics and public service is a very serious responsibility. Public duty should always be served with accountability and integrity holding sacrosanct the public trust. I have the greatest respect for those public servants, whether elected or appointed, who are motivated by good and honourable intentions and are therefore steadfastly committed to the betterment of our country.

While I have no political ambitions, I do hope that we Sri Lankans have the patience and foresight to not only vote the best-suited and most-qualified persons into public office, but also thereafter retain patience as positive social and economic change will not be achieved overnight. I also hope that we have the strength to continuously agitate and demand integrity, accountability, transparency and respect from our elected politicians, ensuring they fully appreciate and understand they that are entrusted with our will to be exercised with responsibility in a manner that benefits all in our society equally.

Post cricket, my plan is, first and foremost, to focus on my family after many years of sacrifice on their part while I was away playing cricket around the world. I am also looking forward to the challenge of developing a second post-playing career in an exciting new phase of my life. Finally, I wish to continue to work with existing charitable partners and friends striving to help various disadvantaged sections of our community. I am forever inspired by the selfless and passionate leaders and volunteers driving these charitable organisations forward and I will try my hardest to support their wonderful efforts in meaningful and useful ways.


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  Comments - 40

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  • Sunil P Perera Monday, 13 August 2018 10:34 AM

    Be on the alert....the international comunity is looking for another Pinochio to take charge of our country from 2020..better stick to your milk powder promotion and the Crocodile restaurant business..good luck..!!

    Anil Monday, 13 August 2018 10:35 AM

    But if someone provide him with an opportunity to run for the UK parliament ,this guy will not think twice

    asela Monday, 13 August 2018 10:37 AM

    A well educated great sportsman at the highest levels of international standards will never jump in to a basket of shit full of worms to be a colleague of international rogues and the most uneducated lot in the country.

    TR Monday, 13 August 2018 10:00 PM

    What you mean well educated ? This guy could not complete his course at the university and dropped out.

    NOEL Monday, 13 August 2018 10:46 AM

    That's right Sangha. Don't turn into a BOORUWA like the other 225 parliamentarians!

    Bandara Monday, 13 August 2018 10:50 AM

    Putha, if you are once fed with hoppers everything can change overnight.

    TONY Monday, 13 August 2018 10:55 AM

    YES SANGA. CRICKET IS A GENTLEMAN'S GAME AND POLITICS IS NOT FOR GENTLEMEN IT IS FULL OF CORRUPTION AND BRINGS DISGRACE TO THE INDIVIDUAL (ALTHOUGH MOST OF OUR CURRENT POLITICIANS ARE SHAMELESS)

    Rasheed Monday, 13 August 2018 11:08 AM

    It was a gentlemen game before, not now.

    johan Monday, 13 August 2018 11:26 AM

    One Time Politics was also Gentlemen's Game.Past one decade it has become Looters' Game

    johan Monday, 13 August 2018 07:20 PM

    Politics also Gentleman's game But our politicians have turned that to Looters Game

    Voter Monday, 13 August 2018 10:58 AM

    Well said Kumar, dont loose the respect the people have for you. There are just a few now in parliment no enough to fill the first row of parliment. Stay away from politics.

    max Monday, 13 August 2018 11:09 AM

    Better. Earn more bucks by appearing for nasty brands and spend few of them to charities as you said.

    Dutugemunu Monday, 13 August 2018 11:14 AM

    Mr Sangakkara, Patriot fearless efficient world class gentlemen ,Srilankans politics need A TOUGH FEARLESS RUTHLESS INDEPENDENT ALL WEATHER MAN TO GOVERN THIS TOTALLY CORRUPT MAFIA INVESTED CUNTRY THANK YOU

    BuffaloaCitizen Monday, 13 August 2018 11:20 AM

    Politics in other countries is selfless and about developing human beings, environment, peace

    Aquarius Monday, 13 August 2018 11:20 AM

    Politics in Sri Lanka is not for clean characters with a spine. Even if we elect the best for the top positions, the middle-men from the ex-government will make sure nothing will change. The solution - a major clean up starting by emptying the parliament, ministries and main departments run by the present lot and that can only be an impossible dream given our own weaknesses and political affiliations.

    Sanath Monday, 13 August 2018 11:29 AM

    That is a great wise decision. Do not ever get into this hell hole of politics.

    Gamaya Monday, 13 August 2018 11:38 AM

    He would have made a great leader. The tragedy is people would never choose someone like him and they don't deserve a great leader anyway.

    varunadhar Monday, 13 August 2018 11:38 AM

    On the other hand, when one is to enter politics the first statement that would be made is "I will never enter politics"....Only time will tell.

    Dhammika Monday, 13 August 2018 11:49 AM

    A GREAT GENTLEMAN .

    yahiya Monday, 13 August 2018 11:49 AM

    Ranil is searching a man to hung.

    akila Monday, 13 August 2018 11:53 AM

    He likes to be associated with white English people .sri Lankan's are below class for him

    lasantha Tuesday, 14 August 2018 12:32 AM

    you are right,,,he a mad guy

    rohan Tuesday, 14 August 2018 01:58 PM

    Thanks because lankans are below class. no two words about that

    Shiva Monday, 13 August 2018 12:10 PM

    not only a best batsman in the world also a best person

    idroos Monday, 13 August 2018 12:13 PM

    My dream has come trueThank God at least v can sri lankans can say v have a gentleman in the caliber of JFK

    idroos Monday, 13 August 2018 12:15 PM

    Tragic sri lanka politics has lost a great leader Hope Imran Khan too steps down

    M.M.M.Izzeth Monday, 13 August 2018 12:17 PM

    Yes,this is not for you.better to beg in the road than entering politics.

    Labby Monday, 13 August 2018 12:22 PM

    A true Officer and a Gentleman.

    SeniorCitizen Monday, 13 August 2018 01:38 PM

    No Lamborghini for you then!

    Premawathie Monday, 13 August 2018 03:04 PM

    Haha you deserve a cookie for this comment

    nimesh Monday, 13 August 2018 02:54 PM

    Yes you are not suitable for politics because u dont posses ability to serve people,,u can only serve urself,,..and u are good at projecting a good image,,betetr crryon making money with ads,,

    Kaush Monday, 13 August 2018 04:11 PM

    Agreed Sanga should not come to politics but we have to encourage good competent people to come into politics to develop this country. But why our people discourage good competent people to do politics. Do they want to continue Sri Lankan politics as a mud pit? Or do they see competent people as a threat to their so called corrupted leader? Or are they stupid?

    chris Monday, 13 August 2018 04:22 PM

    If the Englishmen ask Sanga can you join the politics in the UK, Sanga is not thinking twice, He will say "Yes Sir."

    Patriot Monday, 13 August 2018 07:38 PM

    Sanga, let I be honest since you are not. That's not your writing! There are very few in Sri Lanka who can write like that, of that high caliber. You are an Ad man can be bought for a fee.

    Dr Manoharan Monday, 13 August 2018 10:14 PM

    Comparing Sangakkara with Imran Khan.He is a great batsman,Imran is a great all rounder.He is a University drop out,Imran is an Oxford Graduate.He spent his life in Sri Lanka,Imran lived and studied in UKHe is not good looking,Imran even at 65 has the looks.He is soft spoken,Imran has a powerful voice.He never win the World Cup, Imran Won the World Cup for Pakistan.Now,see the difference why Imran was able to become the Prime Minister even at the age of 65.

    lakshitha Tuesday, 14 August 2018 12:24 AM

    Sanga you wont even win 10% of votes polled if u contest the Presidential election as people in this country are not fools,, people know u are a selfish person,,,u act like a foriegner,and not like Sri Lankan with a funny accent,

    Vis8 Tuesday, 14 August 2018 12:45 AM

    Sangakkara, if you are not going into politics, please refrain from getting influenced by people with vested interests and start talking about 'minorities' as you have done. That's for politicians....

    Clara Thattil Tuesday, 14 August 2018 05:43 AM

    The good and honest people must start somewhere or sometime otherwise we leave it to the goons to rule us

    CITIZEN Tuesday, 14 August 2018 10:32 AM

    A very welcome announcement! You have a good reputation; DO NOT tarnish it with the colour of politics. In Sri Lanka politics is the last resort of the hypocrites, rogues, rapists, murderers, criminals etc. etc.

    Fernando de Silva Tuesday, 14 August 2018 06:22 PM

    Tell me the truth boy...Did you feed your kids with Anchor milk "powder"..?? When you endorsed the product to the happless Srilankan public were you aware that the product was not suitable for human consumption..?? Anything for money eh..?


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