Former cricketer and minister Arjuna Ranatunga has called on Sri Lankan players to boycott IPL matches for a week and support protests in the country. In Sri Lanka, which is facing a severe financial crisis, people have been on the streets for days demanding the resignation of President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. Food and fuel shortages are also acute in the country.
Few cricketers play in the IPL with luxury. They do not speak for the country. People are afraid to speak out against the government. All these players work for the cricket board under the government. They are trying to save jobs. Arjuna Ranatunga demanded that the senior players should also come forward as the young players spoke in support of the protests.
Instead of looking at your work when something goes wrong, you should be eager to speak out and speak out against it. Many ask me why I am not participating in the protest. I have been in politics for the last 19 years. This is not a political issue. So far no political party or leader has been part of the protest. That is the greatest strength of the people of this country, “said Ranatunga.
Earlier, stars like Vanindu Hazaranga and Bhanuka Rajapaksa had come out in support of the protests in the country.