Come Out & Speak Against It: Arjuna Ranatunga Urges Sri Lanka Players To Leave IPL

Ex-Sri Lankan cricketer Arjuna Ranatunga on Tuesday urged all the Sri Lankan cricketers, who are playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, to come and stand in support of their country.

Arjuna Ranatunga. Pic: AFP via Getty Images

New Delhi:  Sri Lanka is currently dealing with the worst economic crisis in its history as the people there are facing a severe shortage of essentials such as food, electricity, and fuel.

Amid these unprecedented times, former Sri Lankan cricketer and minister Arjuna Ranatunga on Tuesday urged all the Sri Lankan cricketers, who are playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, to come and stand in support of their country in the wake of the severe economic crisis, ANI reported.

READ | IPL 2022: R Ashwin Finally Breaks Silence On Retiring Out During Rajasthan vs Lucknow Match

"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," Arjuna Ranatunga told ANI.

"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 added.

Earlier, Sri Lankan players like Wanindu Hasaranga, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa had expressed their support for the ongoing protests in Sri Lanka amid the economic crisis.

"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.