Sri Lanka Police Calls Off World Cup 2011 Final Match-Fixing Probe For Lack Of Evidence
Mumbai: The Sri Lankan police on Friday concluded their investigation into the 2011 World Cup final fixing charge and said there was no evidence in favour of the charge.
It was alleged by former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage that the 2011 World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka was formerly ‘sold’ for money.
Head of the Sports Ministry’s Head of the Special Investigation Unit on Prevention of Sports-related Crimes, Senior Superintendent of Police Jagath Fonseka said that the investigation into the former minister’s allegation was over as he found no evidence to support the allegation after recording statements from several cricketers and officials.
“Without investigating the incident, we will send a report to the secretary of the Ministry of Sports who cited this complaint to us,” Colombo Page quoted Fonseka as saying.
“There was a discussion with the officials of our unit this morning. Our OIC, Deputy Director and others considered. It has become a controversial situation to bring down all the players and record statements. This can be a big problem. We see no reason why players must be further questioned,” Fonseka added.
According to the head of SIU, the 14-point allegation levelled by Aluthgamge could not be confirmed.
Fonseka said, “From the three statements recorded by our unit, we felt that the 14 points presented by Mahidananda Aluthgamge could not be confirmed. Despite the ICC (International Cricket Council) minister’s claim, the ICC did not respond. Not given or not given. ”
“The three players who questioned us gave a reasonable explanation in response to the allegations, particularly why changes were made to the last team. This is a 2011 case,” he said.
The SIU recorded statements from Aravinda de Silva, the chairman of selectors at the time, one of the opening batsmen Upul Tharanga, captain Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. The former captain Sangakkara was interrogated yesterday for nearly 10 hours by the SIU, Colombo Page reported.
India had defeated Sri Lanka in the final of the 2011 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
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