Sports Minister Harin Fernando made a fervent plea to World Cup winning cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga to join him in his efforts to clean up the mess in the sport while at the same time promising that he will present to the International Cricket Council (ICC) all allegations of corruption levelled against officials running the sport.
Minister Fernando drew Ranatunga’s attention addressing Parliament.
A joyful moment shared between Minister of Sports Harin Fernando and SLC President Shammi captured in the past.
“I would like to see Arjuna Ranatunga come and join us and we like to seek his help.
“This (Sports Minister) is not a crown on me. It is a burden just like a stone hung around my neck and thrown into the sea”, said Fernando,” who held the portfolio on a previous occasion.
Ranatunga was picked by ex-Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe to head an Interim Committee to run cricket which was suspended on a court order following a Petition submitted to the Court of Appeal by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) president Shammi Silva.
Minister Fernando also paid a tribute to Ranasinghe who commenced an unprecedented campaign to rid SLC of corruption.
“I must thank Roshan Ranasinghe who made an effort, and I am not here to shield Shammi Silva. I will present to the ICC the allegations made against SLC. The ICC has given me positive signals of lifting the ban (on Sri Lanka)”, said Fernando.
