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Ranatunga asked to step down

Sri Lankan sports minister S B Dissanayake on Friday accused skipper Arjuna Ranatunga of making several mistakes that led to the country's early exit from the cricket World Cup, and asked him to step down.

Dissanayake said the 35-year-old Ranatunga should step down as captain of the Sri Lankan squad, but could continue to play cricket.

"He got many things wrong in the tournament," Dissanayake said in an interview with the BBC.

"He made very bad decisions, so it is time for him to step down," Dissanayake told the BBC's Sandeshaya Sinhalese-language programme.

The minister's remarks were the first official reaction since the country's humiliating exit from the first stage of the tournament, unable to defend the cricketing crown they won in March 1996 after beating Australia.

In a written statement sent from England, Ranatunga vowed to continue playing. Seven members of the Sri Lankan squad returned last week, while the others stayed in England. Ranatunga was one of those who remained and was spared the frosty reception at Colombo airport, which was in sharp contrast to the red carpet VIP welcome the team had received after winning the previous World Cup.

Ranatunga, who is currently under heavy fire for the country's dismal performance, made it clear he had no intention to step down despite a massive media campaign against him.

"What I do wish to say is that it is my firm belief that I do have a few years of cricket left in me and if my services are wanted I am willing to represent my country in whatever capacity," Ranatunga said in his statement.

Sri Lanka's miserable World Cup ended with an unconvincing 45-run win over group A minnows Kenya. Sri Lanka had earlier lost to England, South Africa and India, and won against Zimbabwe.