12 April 2004	Monday	21 Safar 1425

COLOMBO, April 11: Former Sri Lankan cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga on Sunday quit his position in the ruling party after he was passed over for the post of sports minister in the new cabinet.

Ranatunga, 40, who was elected to parliament in the April 2 election, said he entered politics because President Chandrika Kumaratunga invited him to be in charge of sports, but instead he was offered a junior position.

"I did not enter politics to make a name for myself," Ranatunga said. "The president clearly invited me to join her party and make a contribution by taking over the sports ministry.

"By appointing someone else, it shows I have no role to play (in politics). I have resigned as the joint national organiser of the youth wing of the SLFP." Kumaratunga appointed a close relative, former film star Jeevan Kumaratunga, as the sports minister in the 31-member cabinet.

Ranatunga said he was offered but declined the position of deputy minister of industries, tourism and investment promotion. -AFP