Gura was brought here as an 'iththa' -- says Arjuna

Gura was brought here as an 'iththa' -- says Arjuna

Former cricket captain and present Minister Arjuna Ranatunga has said that there is a conspiracy at the background of electing Asanka Gurusingha in a mighty hurry as the new Manager of the Sri Lanka cricket team some days back.

During the period Sri Lanka was engaged in a tour of Australia, Asanka Gurusingha was met and the latter who was living in Australia had been involved in professional activities for the Marketing

sector of that country for quite some time. Thilanga Sumathipala and Dayasiri inclusive of other cricket authorities happened to have suddenly recalled Asanka to their memory and had promptly taken steps to get him down to Sri Lanka and to have him installed him in the position of Manager. Arjuna who spoke about this to BBC had this to say about it:

"Mr. Asanka Gurusingha is not aware as to what transpired in this game for 20 years. What kind of political mediations took place? What type of frauds were committed? What kind of unsuitable characters came into the game? These matters Mr. Asanka Gurusingha is not aware of. At the same time I categorically say that the present administration will not ever allow my brother player to carry out the proper duties necessary. Those in the administration put their political hands into this. They put sons of their friends to play. It happened yesterday and day-before-yesterday too. Because of that, the entire Board of Cricket has lost its goodwill.

What happens here is that old cricketers are utilised and a methodology of covering up actions of 'mud-slinging' is thus neutralised through that process. As such I would say with responsibility that all these players like Aravinda, Asanka and Sanath inclusive should either correct any fault in cricket or else keep away from it".