Sri Lanka’s World Cup-winning cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga and fellow ex-skipper Sanath Jayasuriya have joined street protests demanding the president step down over the country’s economic crisis. Now the bandwagon seems to have been joined by the former skipper, Mahela Jayawardene as he raised against the Sri Lankan police opening fire in which some protestors were killed.

Cricket is avidly followed in the Indian Ocean Island nation and the pair called on other former cricketers to support attempts to oust President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. One of the Sri Lanka jorunalist tweeted, “Sri Lanka Police confirm open firing at protesters in Rambukkana killing at least one and injuring 10. Police say protesters attempted to set fire to a fuel bowser #SriLankaCrisis”.

Replying to the same, Mahela Jayawardene wrote: “If the people were violent and damaging public property they can be arrested but no excuse to shoot at them? Is this democracy? Is this law of the land? Who ever responsible for this must be bought to justice… SL police shame on you…😡😡”.

If the people were violent and damaging public property they can be arrested but no excuse to shoot at them? Is this democracy? Is this law of the land? Who ever responsible for this must be bought to justice… SL police shame on you…😡😡 https://t.co/ufh4ETowsk

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) April 19, 2022

Questioning Mahaela Jaywardena’s intention, one of teh Twitter user’s wrote: “Sudden growth of balls 🥴 #srilanka #lka #GoHomeGota #GoHomeGota2022 #GoHomeRajapaksas #EconomicCrisisLK #SriLankaCrisis #gotafail #gtfo #Dictator #WakeUpSriLanka #PowerToThePeople #boycottDerana”.

Giving a firm reply to the fan,s Mahela Jayawardena firmly said, “I had balls to fight the system when you were in your fathers … so don’t worry about mine. Stay focus 👍”.

I had balls to fight the system when you were in your fathers … so don’t worry about mine. Stay focus 👍 https://t.co/7syMejXZQO

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) April 19, 2022