A somewhat heated exchange between Minister of Petroleum Resources Development and Former Test Cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga and Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara during a ministerial meeting yesterday was brought to a halt by President Maithripala Sirisena, but sources say Captain Cool had the edge in the duel.

The war of words ocurred while Minister Ranatunga commented on a paper to call tenders to reconstruct the artificial track at the Sugathadasa Stadium submitted by Jayasekera.

The conversation is below.

Dayasiri: Minister Arjuna is too inquisitive about everything.

Arjuna: There should be an artificial track in Sugathadasa stadium. I’m pointing out some issues.

I have a right to point out issues and taking decisions are up to them.

Dayasiri: You always blame us saying we are gamblers. He was good when we were together but not now.

Arjuna: The President, the Minister of Sports accepts that there are gamblers in cricket.

Dayasiri: He played cricket in ports and playing cricket in petroleum, too.

Arjuna: I play cricket every day and everywhere. Cricket is in my blood. I always stand up when harmful things happen to cricket.

Dayasiri: Then you better change your ministry.

Arjuna: I’m carrying out work in my ministry well. You are the one who’s looking in to other ministries, without carrying out work in your ministry.

Dayasiri: Then you take charge of my ministry.

Arjuna: It’s not necessary to change the ministry. If the Ministry of Sports is given to me with the existing Ministry I will accept it for the future of cricket. I have a right to speak on behalf of cricket.

The president intervened during the exchange to halt it. He said they should discuss the matter in the future.

Courtesy:The Island