Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer Arjuna Ranatunga, who led them to a world cup triumph in 1996, is likely to be arrested for his alleged involvement in an oil scam during his time as minister. It purportedly involves a loss of rupees 800million caused to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) by a faulty implementation of spot tenders. Ranatunga is currently overseas.
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Arjuna’s brother Dhammika, who was produced to the court on corruption allegations, was named as the first suspect, while Arjuna who was the former Minister of Petroleum Resources Development has been named as the second suspect. Dhamikka was the former chairman of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.
Dhammika was granted bail after a surety of Rs. 1 million and was also issued a strict warning against attempting to influence witnesses. The corruption claims about the former captain Arjuna was told to the court by the assistant director of legal Anusha Sammandapperuma who appeared on behalf of the Bribery Commission.
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The court was told that three long term tenders scheduled for the procurement of fuel for the CPC for the years 2017–2018 had been cancelled and that the subsequent decision to proceed with spot tenders at higher prices allegedly caused a loss of nearly Rs. 800 million to the Corporation. It was based on this allegation that Dhammika was produced before the court.
The legal counsel for the Bribery Commission told the court that Arjuna Ranatunga could not be arrested as he was overseas, and requested court intervention to do the same. She sought an order to remand the suspect, citing the ongoing investigations.
It’s a fall from grace for the legendary player. Once in 2010, he talked about how his mother prevented him from featuring in commercial advertisements. Back then he had done just three adverts to raise funds for a General Hospital, a polio drive and for a garbage disposal campaign. And all were done for free.
“I got 250 rupees for my first Test and traveled by train to the game. After that Lipton Tea came in and said they would offer me 250,000 rupees to feature in an advertisement. I asked them to meet my mother. And she told them, ‘My son is not for sale’. I was lying in my bed that night when she came and sat next to me and explained her decision. I still remember what she said: ‘Son, remember, never ever sell your talent and face for anything.’”
