Sri Lankan authorities are preparing to arrest former national cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga, a key figure in the country’s historic 1996 Cricket World Cup victory, in connection with an alleged corruption case linked to oil procurement decisions during his time as petroleum minister
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Officials informed a Colombo court that Ranatunga, who don’t currently reside in the country, will be taken into custody immediately upon his return.
Corruption Allegations Linked to Oil Procurement Deals
According to Sri Lanka’s Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, Arjuna Ranatunga and his brother are accused of altering the established procedure for awarding long-term fuel supply contracts.
Instead of using standard tender processes, authorities claim the ministry opted for spot purchases at significantly higher prices, allegedly causing a substantial financial loss to the state.
Investigators told the court that 27 separate oil purchases resulted in a loss of approximately 800 million Sri Lankan rupees, equivalent to over $5 million, based on 2017 exchange rates
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Brother Arrested, Released on Bail With Travel Ban
Ranatunga’s elder brother, Dhammika Ranatunga, who served as chairman of the state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation during the period under scrutiny, was arrested earlier this week.
He was later granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. However, the court imposed a strict travel ban, citing his dual citizenship of Sri Lanka and the United States as a potential flight risk
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The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for March 13.
Arjuna Ranatunga Currently Abroad, Arrest Expected on Return
Court officials confirmed that Arjuna Ranatunga is currently overseas, and law enforcement agencies have been instructed to arrest him as soon as he returns to Sri Lanka.
The development marks a dramatic fall for one of the country’s most celebrated sporting figures, whose leadership in the 1996 World Cup final against Australia transformed Sri Lankan cricket and elevated him to national hero status.
Case Part of Wider Anti-Corruption Drive in Sri Lanka
The case involving the Ranatunga brothers is part of a broader anti-corruption crackdown initiated under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who assumed office last year after campaigning on strong governance and accountability reforms.
Authorities have indicated that investigations into alleged financial misconduct by former ministers and senior officials are ongoing and will continue irrespective of political or public stature
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Another Ranatunga Brother Faces Separate Charges
Legal trouble within the Ranatunga family extends beyond the current case. Prasanna Ranatunga, another brother and a former tourism minister, was arrested last month in an unrelated insurance fraud investigation.
He had previously been convicted in June 2022 for extorting money from a businessman and is currently serving a two-year suspended prison sentence, with additional legal proceedings still pending.
From Cricket Icon to Court Scrutiny
At 62, Arjuna Ranatunga’s name remains synonymous with Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketing achievement. However, the unfolding investigation underscores how political roles taken up by former sports icons can later draw intense legal and public scrutiny.
As authorities await his return, the case is expected to draw significant attention both within Sri Lanka and across the global cricket community.