Arjuna Ranatunga
Published : Jun 28, 2003 00:00 IST
Former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga failed in his attempt to become President of the country's cricket board after being defeated by former President Thilanga Sumathipala, who won a landslide victory with 121 of the 138 votes cast.
The result will be a bitter blow for Ranatunga, who led Sri Lanka to victory over Australia in the 1996 World Cup final.
Following his retirement from the game, three years ago, the 39-year-old subsequently entered politics and was elected to parliament for the People's Alliance party in 2001.
Ranatunga's candidacy followed his successful challenge against a government proposal to prohibit members of parliament from holding office in sports bodies. He argued that such a rule was a "violation" of his rights.