When former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage claimed his Ministry had not approved the last-minute additions to the 2011 World Cup team to support his explosive charge of a fixed final, he was widely believed.
A document in the possession of the Sunday Times proves he may be incorrect when he said no approval was granted. Following injury concerns to all-rounder Angelo Mathews and ace spinner Muttiah Muralidaran, the Aravinda de Silva-headed Selection Committee flew in veteran seamer Chaminda Vaas and spinner Suraj Randiv as possible replacements. The addition to the squad was sanctioned by the Technical Committee of the World Cup organisers on Sri Lanka’s request. It is unclear how Aluthgamage could claim his approval was not sought for the replacement when he was the Minister in charge at the time.
“Last minute, there were two players brought down from Sri Lanka,” Aluthgamage told a private TV channel to back up his fixing claim. “There was no approval from the Cricket Board or from the Ministry to include those two players in the side.”
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This begs the question why the Minister didn’t initiate an inquiry against the Cricket Board and Selectors for failure to obtain Ministry approval which is a mandatory requirement under the Sports Law. The document shows Selectors followed due process in including the two players in the side. The Ministry stamp came three days ahead of the April 2 final against India in Mumbai.
Read the full Sunday Times report