Former Captain of Sri Lanka Arjuna Ranatunga Has Been Order To Pay In A Defamation Case. Ranatunga and Thilanga Sumathipala, a four-time president of Sri Lanka Cricket. Have been engage in a bitter power struggle, and they have frequently trade accusations of corruption and match-fixing.
Arjuna Ranatunga, the World Cup-winning captain of Sri Lanka, has been force to pay USD 70,000 in a defamation action resulting from a protract dispute over control of the island nation’s financially lucrative cricket board. A four-time president of Sri Lanka Cricket, Thilanga Sumathipala, and Ranatunga have been engaged in a nasty power struggle. The two have frequently swapped charges of corruption and match-fixing. The civil court decision from this past Thursday stems from a statement made by Ranatunga in 2003, in which he claimed that his arch-rival was dishonest and unqualified to lead the country’s governing body for sport.
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“My family and friends and people who believed in me are so happy and relieved,”
said Sumathipala to AFP on Friday.
“I wish my mother was still alive to hear this court order. Justice delayed is justice denied. Anyhow, it’s better late than never.”
he continue
Ranatunga was given a 25 million rupee (USD 70,000) fine for the statements, a court spokesman told AFP. The ruling will challenge at a higher court, according to Ranatunga’s spokesperson.
When Sri Lanka failed to successfully defend their World Cup triumph in 1999, Ranatunga stepped down as captain.
Since then, he and Sumathipala have argued about who should be the cricket board’s president. One of their battles in 2019 lose.
The national team of Sri Lanka has long been beset by disputes and accusations of corruption.
According to former sports minister Harin Fernando, the International Cricket Council (ICC) considers Sri Lanka to be one of the most corrupt nations within its jurisdiction.
Mahindananda Aluthgamage, one of his predecessors, inform the legislature last year that match-fixing is widespread in Sri Lanka.
Ratanunga already cast doubt on the moral character of the Sri Lankan side that was defeat by India in the World Cup final in 2011, but he has refrained from making specific accusations against individual players.
Despite the fact that Sumathipala denies any involvement in the gambling industry, he asserts that by holding office, Sumathipala is in violation of ICC rules.
Sumathipala has questioned Ranatunga’s personal behavior ever since his team failed to win the World Cup in 1999.
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