Cricketer Muralitharan may be rewarded for loyalty to Rajapaksas

by Thusiyan
Nov 24, 2019

File photograph (Naparazzi)

Following Sri Lanka’s presidential elections, former cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan is said to be spoken for as the Sri Lankan governor for the Northern Province, according to reports in the Indian press.

Cricketer Muralitharan is well known for his unwavering alliance with accused war criminal Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and has himself denied that war crimes had occurred. Muralitharan - arguably Sri Lanka’s most famous cricket player - stated he “did not have any problems as a Tamil”, and even claimed that former British prime minister David Cameron had been “misled” over reports of rights abuses faced by Tamils. Previously he has compared Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya's older brother and former president who also stand accused of war crimes, to Nelson Mandela.

Whilst no officials have confirmed this at present, the reports come in the wake of Tamils and Muslims across the North-East voting overwhelmingly against Rajapaksa’s at least week’s polls.

"The news is already leaked,” said a senior Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader, who agreed there was vehement opposition to the posting. “Perhaps, the government is testing the mood,” the TNA source added.. Since there is already so much opposition, he may not be made a Governor. He may get something else. Maybe an Ambassadorial post.”

See more from News 18 here.

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