July 02, Colombo: Former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Mahela Jayawardena has been summoned to appear before the Special Investigations Unit of the Sports Ministry tomorrow (03) to record a statement over the 2011 World Cup match fixing allegations.
Mahela Jayawardena, who was the vice-captain of the Sri Lanka Cricket squad at the 2011 World Cup championship, has been summoned by the Special Investigation Unit on Prevention of Offenses Relating to Sports to provide a statement regarding the ‘match-fixing’ allegations leveled by former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage.
The SIU summoned the then captain Kumara Sangakkara to the unit Thursday and the former captain recorded a statement for nearly 10 hours.
Aluthgamage, who was the Sports Minister at the time of the 2011 World Cup Championship, has alleged that the 2011 World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka was ‘sold’ to India for money, but has not produced any evidence.
The allegations sparked controversy and the Sports Ministry’s Special Investigation Unit commenced the probe last month.
Sangakkara, who captained the 2011 World Cup final against India at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 2 April 2011, said the former minister should provide the evidence to ICC for a probe so the claims can be investigated.
The ‘Special Investigation Unit on Prevention of Offenses Relating to Sports’ has so far recorded statements from Former Chief of Selectors Aravinda De Silva and Cricketer Upul Tharanga. SIU also obtained a statement from the former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage.