Sri Lanka’s former Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe has reignited controversy over alleged gambling influence in cricket, issuing a pointed social media remark during the national team’s heavy defeat to New Zealand.

In a Facebook post published late Wednesday, Ranasinghe wrote: “Remember… It’s not that we can’t. It’s just that gamblers don’t let us win (මතක තියාගන්න.. අපේ උන්ට බැරිකම නෙවෙයි.. සූදුකාරයන් දිනන්න ඉඩ දෙන්නැහැ කියන එක විතරක්).”

Although he did not directly refer to the ongoing match, the timing of the post — as Sri Lanka were being comprehensively beaten by New Zealand’s Black Caps — prompted widespread interpretation that the statement was aimed at alleged betting interests and corruption within the sport.

The comments come against the backdrop of persistent criticism of Sri Lanka Cricket and recurring allegations of undue influence linked to gambling and mismanagement. Ranasinghe has previously been vocal about governance issues in cricket administration and was removed from his ministerial portfolio in 2023 by then President Ranil Wickremesinghe following a public dispute with the cricket board.

Sri Lanka’s latest loss adds to a series of disappointing performances in recent months, further fuelling public frustration and renewed calls for structural reform within the country’s cricket administration.