Match fixing inquiry halted due to baseless allegations

The investigations carried out into the match-fixing allegations made by former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, relating to the 2011 Cricket World Cup final which Sri Lanka lost to India, has been halted as the special investigation unit deemed the allegations as being baseless, Police media spokesman SSP Jaliya Senaratne said today. 

He told Daily Mirror that there was no sufficient evidence to prove the allegations and hence it was decided that it was no longer required to continue the investigations. 

 “The investigations, which commenced on June 24 aimed at finding out whether the match was fixed and if so, who should be held responsible for it,” SSP Senaratne said. 

“The investigation unit is to submit a report to the Sports Ministry Secretary on the progress of the inquiry according to the statements recorded from witnesses,” he added. 

The Sport Ministry's Special Investigation Division recorded five-, two- and nine-hour long statements from Former Selection Committee Chairman Aravinda de Silva, cricketer Upul Tharanga and former skipper of the Sri Lanka Cricket team Kumar Sangakkara respectively.

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene was also to give a statement before the probe unit. However, he had been informed his statement would be recorded on another date. 

Meanwhile, informed sources said there had been a meeting at the Special Investigation Division, where it was decided that there was no need to carry on probe into it.   

It has reportedly discussed during the meeting that summoning cricketers to the probe unit has also created uproar in the society.   

Moreover, former MP Namal Rajapaksa had also said that summoning cricketers to the CID without any preliminary investigation conducted by the International Cricket Council (ICC), could bring unnecessary disgrace to the country. (Sheain Fernandopulle)