Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Nov 18: Arjuna Ranatunga, the World Cup-winning captain of Sri Lanka, has been forced to pay USD 70,000 in a defamation action stemming from a protracted conflict over control of the wealthy cricket board of the island nation.
Ranatunga and Thilanga Sumathipala, a four-time president of Sri Lanka Cricket, have been engaged in a heated power struggle, and they have frequently traded charges of corruption and match-fixing.
The civil court decision from last Thursday stems from a statement made by Ranatunga in 2003 that his arch-rival was dishonest and unqualified to lead the country’s governing body for sport.
“My family and friends and people who believed in me are so happy and relieved,” Sumathipala told 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.”
Ranatunga was given a 25 million rupee (USD 70,000) fine for the statements, a court spokesman told AFP. The ruling would be appealed at a higher court, according to Ranatunga’s spokesman.
When Sri Lanka failed to successfully defend their World Cup triumph in 1999, Ranatunga stepped down as captain. Since then, he and Sumathipala have engaged in a battle for control of the cricket board, including a vain attempt in 2019.
The national squad of Sri Lanka has endured years of internal strife and corruption allegations. Sri Lanka is one of the most corrupt countries in the world, according to former sports minister Harin Fernando, who works for the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Mahindananda Aluthgamage, one of his predecessors, informed the legislature last year that match-fixing was widespread in Sri Lanka.
Ratanunga has already cast doubt on the moral character of the Sri Lankan side that was defeated by India in the World Cup final in 2011, but he has refrained from making specific accusations against individual players.
He claims that Sumathipala is in violation of ICC rules by continuing to hold office despite his family’s ties to the gambling sector, which Sumathipala denies any involvement in. For his side, Sumathipala has questioned Ranatunga’s actions after his team failed to successfully defend the World Cup in 1999.
