Let me live again says Anusha Samaranayake

What happened to the ICC fixing probe?

“Yes, the ICC has cleared Samaranayake of the match fixing charges, but, the committee that probed into the case has found him guilty of his conduct on other counts. We will have a meeting with him shortly”.

Kusal Janith is back on track. What transpired in the aftermath of that doping probe had historical value. The case already is becoming a benchmark in WADA history. The entire SLC machinery worked as one and as soon as the ICC probe results were out it became headline news in all media.

But there are also instances where the sun sets in the east. What about the name of the fast bowling coach Anusha Samaranayake who was initially suspended over accusations of match fixing in connection with the Kusal Janith Probe.

Now after a short spell Samaranayake has broken his silence. He says that the ICC probe on match fixing charges is over. The ICC has written to Sri Lanka Cricket about their findings, yet the Lankan cricket authority is reluctant to release the findings and clear his name.

Samaranayake told the Sunday Times “Initially the accusation was that the net bowler by the name of Gayan Wishvajith was an acquaintance of mine and the charge was match fixing. Then SLC took steps to stop Gayan from acting as a net bowler and my services were suspended on January 18, 2016. Then came the inquiry conducted by the FCID, which was followed by the inquiry that was conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket. “Then at the completion of the inquiry Sri Lanka Cricket handed over the case to the ICC to conduct the match fixing probe. During that inquiry I assisted the relevant probing authorities to the best of my ability – giving bank details and other relevant information and now on May 29 the ICC has written back to the SLC about their findings, but, SLC is not taking any steps to release its findings. Instead they have said that they are willing to issue a letter about the ICC findings.”

Samaranayake further added “When I kept asking the ICC about the findings of the match fixing case, they say that they have completed their probe and have handed over their findings to the SLC. They say that they have no further communications on the matter. Even the FCID so far have not comeback.

“SLC says that they are willing to give back my employment, but, under these conditions I do not want continue in this institution. I am ready to resign from my present position. Release the contents of the ICC findings because before I resign I want to clear my name, I am entitled for my own human rights. All what I want is to rebuild my stalled career and for that to come by my name should be cleared and also because I have offers from some prospective employers.”

At the turn of the New Year, Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera complained to the FCID that two Sri Lanka Cricket support staff had approached cricketers Kusal Janith Perera and Rangana Herath to fix the Sri LankaWest Indies test match played at Galle in November last year. This culminated in Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews, left arm spinner Rangana Herath and a few others besides Samaranayake being interviewed by the FCID.

Commenting on the issue Secretary Sri Lanka Cricket Mohan de Silva said “Yes, the ICC has cleared Samaranayake of the match fixing charges, but, the committee that probed into the case has found him guilty of his conduct on other counts. We will have a meeting with him shortly”.