COLOMBO – Sri Lanka s former cricket captain Tillakaratne Dilshan Wednesdayjoined the political party of former leader Mahinda Rajapakse, soon afterhis controversial government was voted out by the legislature.

Rajapakse was named by the president as prime minister in October followingthe shock sacking of Ranil Wickremesinghe. After several weeks of politicalwrangling in which Wickremesinghe refused to stand down, Rajapakse wasvoted out in a no-confidence action.

Dilshan, 42, took membership in Rajapakse s newly-formed Sri Lanka People sFront (SLPP) on the same day the national parliament defeated the formerpresident in a landmark vote.

There was no immediate comment from Dilshan — who quit internationalcricket in 2016 — but the party posted a photo of him obtaining hismembership from a senior politician.

Dilshan played 87 Tests, scored 5,492 runs and has taken 39 wickets givingaway 1,711 runs.

Several top Sri Lankan cricket stars have gone on to enter politics.

Sri Lanka s World Cup winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga was a cabinetminister in the Wickremesinghe s government. – APP/AFP