Former Sri Lanka cricket captain and Member of Parliament Arjuna Ranatunga welcomed appointment of General Sarath Fonseka as Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Public Recreation and hopes the alleged mass scale corrupt activities at the ministry would end with the arrival of the veteran soldier.

General Fonseka, serving as the Chief of Defence Staff will take over from S. Liyanagama, who signed a controversial television deal on behalf of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), with Nimbus Pvt. Ltd., early this year.

`Since the day I entered Parliament, I have spoken about corruption in sports and I am hopeful with the appointment of General Sarath Fonseka that there will be end to corruption in sports,` Ranatunga, who headed the Cricket Interim Committee last year, told `The island`.

`I have a lot of respect for General Fonseka. Corruption has been a major hindrance for the development of sports and let`s hope his appointment enables us to get rid of corrupt elements,` Ranatunga added.

Late last year, Ranatunga was removed hastily from the post of Chairman of the Cricket Interim Committee and Sports Ministry Secretary S. Liyanagama was appointed Competent Authority of SLC by Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge, vesting him with all powers.

Liyanagama, on the instructions of the Sports Minister, signed a multi-million dollar television deal with Nimbus Pvt. Ltd., a company blacklisted by Sri Lanka Cricket.

Ranatunga then alleged that the television contract was signed for a lower price and warned of complications. He alleged that the television contract, signed at the private residence of the Sports Minister, was us$ four million less than the market price.

True to form, Nimubs, who were supposed to pay the fee for the television contract in installments, refrained from paying a portion of what they agreed to.

Later, Ranatunga successfully challenged in the Supreme Court the decision to remove him as Chairman of the Cricket Interim Committee.

(RC)