Greig was recently diagnosed with lung cancer, and was receiving treatment for his illness in Sydney, Australia, where he has resided since the late 1970s, but succumbed to a heart-attack brought on by complications with his battle with cancer.
Ranatunga praised Greig for his unending support and love for Sri Lanka.
"Tony Greig was the first person who said that Sri Lanka will win the World Cup," Ranatunga said.
"Tony was a man who loved our country. He appreciated our attacking style, our culture and our history. He embraced Sri Lanka like no other person.
"One of the things that he loved is our hospitality."
The former Sri Lankan captain said that Greig had been a pillar of strength for the players and the cricket board during Muttiah Muralitharan's chucking controversy in Australia.
"During the chucking incidents in 1995 and 1998, he went out of his way and helped us," Ranatunga said.
"I remember during the chucking controversy, Tony came to our dressing rooms, and even the hotel, and consoled us and told us what to do and what not to do," he added.
"One of the things that I really liked was, when he promoted our younger guys.
"Little Kalu became a household name because of Tony."
Greig is survived by his second wife and his four children.
Source: http://www.islandcricket.lk
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