Former Sri Lanka cricket captain and parliamentarian Arjuna Ranatunge it is learnt is standing against the Sri Lankan cricketers following an assurance given by the President to appoint him as the President of Sri Lanka Cricket.

The President had promised Arjuna that Thilanga Sumathipala and current head of Sri Lanka Cricket, Upali Dharmadasa, who have handed nominations to contest for the top post, would be asked to withdraw from the race since there are inquiries against them.

It is learnt that Arujuna would then be appointed as the head of a Sri Lanka Cricket Interim Committee.

The President’s son, Namal Rajapaksa has played the role of intermediary in reaching this agreement.

It is also learnt that the delay on Arjuna’s part to agree to contest the Sri Lanka Cricket elections had prevented the President from giving his blessings to the former cricket captain.

The President and Namal had discussed this matter with Sanath Jayasuriya and he too had agreed to it.