da betsul： Arjuna Ranatunga, former Sri Lankan World Cup-winning captain and currentmember of parliament, has revealed that he will be joining an ultranationalist anti-peace march
Wisden Cricinfo staff25-Sep-2003Arjuna Ranatunga, former Sri Lankan World Cup-winning captain and currentmember of parliament, has revealed that he will be joining an ultranationalist anti-peace march.The 72 mile five-day march from Kandy to Colombo, organised by thenewly-formed Patriotic National Movement (PNM), is a protest against theNorwegian-backed peace initiative with the Tamil Tigers rebels inthe north.A ceasefire in the island has held for over 18 months now, ending a bloodyconflict that claimed over 60,000 lives since 1972.However, PNM leaders argue that the peace initiative is damaging the countryby allowing foreigners to exploit Sri Lanka’s meagre national resources.Ranatunga, now 39, has thrown his support behind the movement: I am herebecause I stand for what I believe in…I want to make my contribution toprotect the country.”