Sri Lankan batting legend Aravinda de Silva has rubbished former sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage's fixing claims, saying an investigation should be conducted to expose the lies.
Aluthgamage took the cricketing fraternity by storm last week as he alleged that the 2011 World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka was fixed.
Calling for a probe into the allegations, De Silva said such claims affect people, including the Indian cricketers 'who deservingly won' the World Cup title.
"When serious allegations like these are being made, it affects a lot of people. In this case not only us, the selectors, the players and the team management but Indian cricketers who deservingly won the world title. We need to clear this once and for all for the greater good of the game we love," Aravinda de Silva told The Sunday Times.
He believes people should not be allowed to get away with lies and thus urged the Indian government and the BCCI to conduct an 'impartial inquiry' into the allegations.
"We cannot let people get away all the time with lies. I request everyone, ICC, BCCI and SLC to investigate this immediately.
"Just like we cherished our World Cup victory, players like Sachin (Tendulkar) cherish these moments for the rest of their lives. I think in the interest of Sachin and the millions of cricket fans across India, it's the duty of the Indian government and their cricket board to initiate an impartial inquiry to see whether they have won a fixed World Cup."
Sri Lanka’s sports ministry on Friday (June 19) ordered an investigation to take place regarding the ex-minister’s bizarre claims.
Aravinda, who was part of the Sri Lankan selection committee during the 2011 World Cup, lashed out at the former sports minister, saying Aluthgamage is a man of 'no credibility' and is making 'wild allegations'.
"These are all flimsy allegations and if he had any doubt he should have gone to ICC ACU then," he said.
"Here is a man who has no reputation or credibility trying to cast wild allegations at all those who were involved with that game. I am ready to face any inquiry. But these liars should not be spared. As I said they are tarnishing our hard-earned reputations."
Earlier, Sri Lankan cricket greats Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara had ridiculed the claims of Aluthgamage, asking him to provide evidence for the allegations.
