Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning captain and former chief selector Aravinda de Silva was summoned by the police on Tuesday (June 30) for the separate inquiry over the former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage’s allegation that the 2011 World Cup final was fixed by “certain parties”.
Last month, Aluthgamage, who was Sports Minister during the ICC World Cup 2020, made the sensational claims that Sri Lanka ‘sold’ the final to India – for which he was criticized by many including former captains Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, who demanded evidence from him.
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A criminal investigation into the explosive World Cup 2011 final match-fixing allegations started with De Silva, who was Sri Lanka chairman of selectors at that time, was questioned for over six hours by the police, and recorded his statement, a detective revealed on Tuesday.
The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) Superintendent Jagath Fonseka told reporters: “Today we started the investigation into (2011 World Cup) match-fixing allegations.”
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He further added, “Based on the statement given by Aravinda de Silva today, we have decided to summon a player from the 2011 squad, Upul Tharanga, tomorrow to record his statement.”
Fonseka also revealed that his unit has obtained intelligence reports as well as inputs from unspecified international sources to continue their probe into the cricket’s explosive match-fixing controversies.
Apart from De Silva, Sri Lanka opener and former captain Upul Tharanga was also questioned for two hours by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) examining the conduct of the final. Tharanga made 2 runs in 20 balls in the final, which was played in Mumbai's iconic Wankhede stadium.
"They asked a few questions in connection with the ongoing investigation. I gave my statement," Tharanga told reporters without giving further details.
(With AFP Inputs)
