The Galle magistrate court issued the warrant after Ranatunaga failed to appear in court today to testify in a case involving damage to public property during a demonstration held last year.
His lawyers said that the legendary cricketer couldn't appear before the court today because he is out of the country.
47-year old Ranatunga led the Sri Lankan cricket team which won the cricket world cup in 1996 and later became a member of parliament from the ruling party.
He joined the opposition Democratic National Alliance in the lead upto last year's presidential election pledging support to the now jailed former army commander Sarath Fonseka.