In an interview with a local TV on Monday (31), Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage once again spoke out on his match-fixing allegations, claiming that the probe into the allegations were suspended due to influence.
He cast aspersions on the integrity of both the Police SIU & International Cricket Council. The minister accused the SIU of caving into political pressure to suspend the investigation and alleged that the ICC lied to support it.
The ministers allegation against the ICC comes in the wake of the world governing body releasing a press statement on the matter categorically refuting all of the ministers claims.
The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Sports Ministry recently submitting its report on the probe launched into the allegations has reportedly inquired from the AG on whether to continue or conclude the investigations, despite announcing in July that the investigations were concluded NewsWire learns.
Also the legal teams of several former Sri Lanka cricketers have called on the Attorney General (AG) to expedite and conclude the investigations launched into the match-fixing allegations made by former Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage, NewsWire learns.
The legal teams have also reportedly called on Attorney General Dappula de Livera to launch a separate investigation into the false claims made by former minister Mahindanada Aluthgamage as made evident by the concluding statements of the SIU and the press statement on the matter by the ICC.
A false allegation is a punishable offence and could lead to imprisonment under the Sports Act of Sri Lanka.
The ICC stated that the integrity of the match was never in question. They went on to say they had not received any written complaint by the minister in 2011 or subsequently until this claim in 2020. The ICC concluded its statement stating that having looked at the fresh claims and allegations made by the minister they deemed it unnecessary to even begin an investigation.
This statement by the ICC begs the question at whether former sports minister produced and submitted a manufactured letter to the media and the SIU claiming it to be an authentic complaint authored by him in late 2011 and sent to the ICC. NewsWire also learns that the legal teams of the players have filed a RTI with the ministry of Sports requesting a copy of this letter as records are kept of such important correspondence.
The legal teams have also submitted a letter obtained from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) consisting of Aluthgamamage’s signature approving the selection squad and the two replacements made during the final match.
Mahindananda Aluthgamage had earlier claimed that he was unaware of the replacements and did not sanction the selection squad for the final.
Newswire’s attempts to contact the legal teams of the former cricketers and the Attorney General’s Department remain futile. (NewsWire)