SL drops probe into 2011 WC final fixing allegations

COLOMBO: The probe into match fixing allegations surrounding the 2011 ICC World Cup final, which was launched by the Sri Lankan Sports Ministry’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU), has ended, said Chief of SIU SSP Jagath Fonseka on Friday.

Fonseka was quoted as saying by local media that the investigation, which included taking statements from Sri Lanka players involved in the match, produced no evidence to support the allegations. “The three statements recorded thus far show that there is no evidence to prove the 14 allegations raised by former Parliamentarian Mahindananda Aluthgamage,” Fonseca told Lankadeepa newspaper.

Among the cricketers who gave statements were the then captain Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena and Upul Tharanga. Aravinda De Silva, who was chairman of selectors before the 2011 tournament, also gave a statement.

Fonseka said that SIU would send the report on the investigation to the Secretary of the Ministry of Sports. A decision to end the investigation was drawn during a discussion with high-ranked officials of SIU on Friday morning, he said.

Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said there is no reason to doubt the integrity of the match. The probe was sparked by former Sports Minister Aluthgamage, who claimed that the game, in which Sri Lanka lost to India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, was fixed.