Winning 2019 World Cup is a tedious task: Arjuna

Tuesday, 25 September 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Petroleum Resources Minister and former Test Cricket Captain Arjuna Ranatunga said that winning the 2019 World Cup will be a tedious task.

“This Government has degraded cricket,” he charged, alleging former Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara should be responsible for that.

Speaking at the launch of a welfare program at the Katunayake Walana Temple yesterday, Ranatunga alleged that the former Sports Minister should not have allowed any gambler or bookie to enter into cricket. “Gamblers have destroyed sports,” claimed Ranatunga.

“Bangladesh won against Sri Lanka and Afghanistan won against Sri Lanka. We still can train cricketers properly. I call for the Amendment of the Constitution and to hold a free and fair election. If they are not keen to appoint an Interim Committee until the election, they may appoint veteran cricketers like Mahela, Sangakkara, Wettamuni and Murali to run Sri Lanka Cricket,” Ranatunga opined.

He also claimed that the current Sports Minister Faiszer Musthapha should take responsibility too.

“I don’t think winning the 2019 World Cup will be an easy task. Blame should not only be on the captain, but on the selection committee, too. We don’t have a vision. The President and Prime Minister should consider this matter urgently,” Ranatunga added.