Cricket Sri Lanka: Former Captain Ranatunga Arrest – Update

Cricket Sri Lanka
File Photo: Arjuna Ranatunga

COLOMBO: The Sri Lanka’s Ex-Minister of Petroleum and 1996 World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga was arrested on Monday – 29th October.

He was arrested due to uproar of trade unions, accusing the ex-captain of giving orders for a shooting in Colombo which killed a man. The bodyguard who fired has also been taken into custody.

Latest reports are that he was produced before the Colombo magistrate in the evening and has been granted bail.


Ranatunga is a member of United National Party and had entered politics on retirement from cricket. He is an ally of the recently ousted prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

CCD – Colombo Crimes Division had arrested the ex captain, after fire was opened by his body guards, to rescue him from a political skirmish which occurred outside in the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation office. As a result, the petroleum trade unions called for a strike and demanded the ex captains arrest.

According to Ranatunga’s office, hundreds of people had gathered in the ministry compound and on appearance of the minister, the people started beating his staff and trying to take him hostage. When attempts were made to break the office door and capture the minister, the commandos of the Special Task Force came into action to rescue.

Arjuna Ranatung was a left-handed batsman and right-arm medium pacer. Scored 7456 runs in 269 ODIs and took 79 wickets.

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