Arjuna Ranatunga, Sri Lanka’s World Cup-winning cricket captain, and fellow ex-skipper Sanath Jayasuriya have joined public protests calling for President Mahinda Rajapaksa to resign over the country’s economic difficulties. Former captain Mahela Jayawardene has now joined the protest, protesting the Sri Lankan police’s use of live ammunition, which resulted in the deaths of some protestors.
Mahela Jayawardene Responds to Twitter User Who Questioned Him
Cricket is a popular sport in the Indian Ocean island nation, and the two urged other former players to back efforts to depose President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. “Sri Lanka Police confirm open firing at protesters in Rambukkana killing at least one and injuring 10. Police say protesters attempted to set fire to a fuel bowser #SriLankaCrisis”.
If the people were violent and damaging public property they can be arrested but no excuse to shoot at them? Is this democracy? Is this law of the land? Who ever responsible for this must be bought to justice… SL police shame on you…😡😡 https://t.co/ufh4ETowsk
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) April 19, 2022
Mahela Jayawardene slammed the Sri Lankan police for opening fire on protestors, resulting in numerous persons being hurt or dead. A Twitter user enquired about the former cricketer’s opinion, to which he reacted aggressively. “I had balls to fight the system when you were in your fathers … so don’t worry about mine.” Jayawardene said.
I had balls to fight the system when you were in your fathers … so don’t worry about mine. Stay focus 👍 https://t.co/7syMejXZQO
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) April 19, 2022
Questioning Mahela Jayawardene’s intention, one of the Twitter users tweeted: “Sudden growth of balls 🥴 #srilanka #lka #GoHomeGota #GoHomeGota2022 #GoHomeRajapaksas #EconomicCrisisLK #SriLankaCrisis #gotafail #gtfo #Dictator #WakeUpSriLanka #PowerToThePeople #boycottDerana”.
Meanwhile, with Sri Lanka experiencing an escalating economic crisis that has left its population struggling to get by, the country’s World Cup-winning cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga and fellow ex-skipper Sanath Jayasuriya have joined public protests calling for the president’s resignation.
Cricket has a large fan base in Sri Lanka, and the two urged other former players to back efforts to oust President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The island nation is experiencing its greatest economic crisis since its independence in 1948, with significant shortages of critical supplies including fuel and food, as well as frequent blackouts, causing widespread misery.
Protesters have taken over the entrance and surrounding areas of Rajapaksa’s office, holding him accountable for the country’s economic plight. They also want his influential family to step down, accusing them of corruption and misrule.
