By Dhammika Ratnaweera
The investigation launched by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Ministry of Sports into the match-fixing allegations raised on the 2011 Cricket World Cup was terminated on Friday.
SIU Director SSP Jagath Fonseka said a report on the findings on the investigation will be sent shortly to the Secretary to the Ministry of Sports. “A decision to end the investigation was drawn during a discussion with high ranking officials of the Special Investigation Unit held this morning.” he said. SSP Fonseka pointed out that the summoning of various cricketers to record statements had caused a crisis in the country and can lead to a major issues.
He said the statements of three cricketers summoned so far are genuine, and has revealed the practical reason for a change in squad during the tournament, adding that this is an incident that had occurred in 2011.
Sri Lanka former Cricketers Kumara Sangakkara (world cup 2011 captain), Upul Tharanga (opener) and former chairman of the selection committee Aravinda de Silva were inquired and summoned in this regard while former skipper Mahela Jayawardena who appeared before the Special Investigation Division of the Sports Ministry as summoned today(3), but left without recording a statement. Jayawardena said he arrived at the Division as certain media reported that he had requested Police to postpone the hearing.
The Ministry of Sports launched an investigation into the allegation, after former Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage revealed in June that the 2011 Cricket World Cup final between Sri Lanka and India was fixed.
“The three statements recorded thus far shows that there are no evidence to prove the 14- allegations raised by former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage. The International Cricket Council too has not responded with regard to the allegations and made statement today .
We have not been presented with any evidence that supports the claims- says ICC’s Anti- Corruption Unit GM Alex Marshall
ICC Anti-Corruption Unit General Manager Alex Marshall responds to allegations of corruption with regards to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2011 final.
“The ICC Integrity Unit has looked into the recent allegations regarding the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Final 2011. At this time, we have not been presented with any evidence that supports the claims made or which would merit launching an investigation under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. There is no record of any letter regarding this matter sent by the then Sri Lanka Sports Minister to the ICC and senior ICC staff at the time have confirmed they have no recollection of receiving any such letter which would have led to an investigation. We have no reason to doubt the integrity of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Final 2011.
“We take all allegations of this nature extremely seriously and should we receive any evidence to corroborate the claims, we will review our current position.
“If anyone has any evidence that this match or any other has been subject to match-fixing, we would urge them to get in contact with the ICC Integrity team.” added ICC Anti Corruption Unit General Manager .
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