New Delhi:
Former Sri Lankan cricketer and minister Arjuna Ranatunga recently insisted all their players, who are playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL), come and help their country during the enduring economic situation.
Arjuna Ranatunga told ANI, “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. 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,” he added.
“When something is going wrong, you should have the guts to come out and speak against it, without thinking about your business. People ask me why I am not in the protests. It’s just that I have been into politics for the last 19 years and this is not a political issue. So far, none of the political parties and politicians have got into the protests and that’s the biggest strength of the people of this country,” he further added.
Earlier, Sri Lankan players like Wanindu Hasaranga and Bhanuka Rajapaksa came out in support of the ongoing protests.
“I am sure you all know who are the players, playing in the IPL. 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,” said the former cricketer.
Sri Lanka is fighting a tough economic situation with food and fuel lack involving a large number of the people in the island country. The economy has been in free-fall since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sri Lanka is also facing a foreign exchange shortage, which has impacted its ability to import food and fuel. The shortage of basic goods caused Sri Lanka to pursue services from friendly countries.
The economic situation has conducted to massive protests with demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa addresses a special request to the nation, to stay patient and stop taking to the streets to allow the government to fix the situation.
(With inputs from ANI)
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