As Sri Lanka reels through its worst-ever economic crisis, 1996 World Cup-winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga has called upon his countrymen who are involved in the ongoing IPL 2022 to return home and join the protests against the Rajapaksa government.
While Sri Lanka is battling a severe economic crisis with food and fuel shortages impacting the lives of millions of Sri Lankans, Arjuna Ranatunga was left upset by the Sri Lankans not or barely speaking up for the country and continuing with their lucrative IPL contracts. He urged those players to return home for a week and join the protests seeking the betterment of their nation.
“I am sure you all know who are the players playing in the IPL 2022. I don’t want to mention, but I would want them to leave their job for a week and come in support of the protests. I really don’t know, but there are some cricketers who are lavishly playing in the IPL and haven’t spoken about their country. Unfortunately, people are scared to speak against the government,” Ranatunga said as quoted by ANI.
“These cricketers are also working for the cricket board under the ministry, and they are trying to protect their jobs. But now they have to take a step as some of the young cricketers also came forward and gave statements in support of the protest. When something is going wrong, you should have the guts to come out and speak against it without thinking about your business.”
A number of Sri Lankans are participating in the IPL 2022: Wanindu Hasaranga, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dushmantha Chameeera, Chamika Karunaratne and Maheesh Theekshana are players while Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Lasith Malinga are part of different coaching staffs.
At the moment, there is no report of any Sri Lankan player or coach looking to leave the IPL 2022 mid-season.
