Former Sri Lanka cricketer Mahela Jayawardena appeared before the Special Investigation Division of the Sports Ministry as summoned today, but left without recording a statement.
Jayawardena was summoned by the Division yesterday (02) to record a statement on the alleged match-fixing allegations relating to the 2011 Cricket World Cup final between Sri Lanka and India.
Earlier today, the Special Investigation Unit of the Ministry of Sports announced that a statement will not be recorded from Jayawardena today and he will be summoned once again on a later day.
However, the former cricketer, who scored a century in the 2011 World Cup final, said he arrived at the Division as certain media had reported that he will not report today due to personal reasons.
Jayawardena said that he was informed of the postponement at 11.30 p.m yesterday and certain media reports were circulating this morning that he was not to appear due to personal reasons.
As a result, I decided to report to the Division today as it was my duty to clarify the wrong media reports, he said.
The cricketing legend further said that he loves the sport of cricket and respects the sport, adding that it is his responsibility to be supportive and assist in the ongoing investigations.
The Officials informed me that they decided not to record a statement today and will notify me of a new date to appear before the Division in the future, he said.
Jayawardena further requested the media not to report false news by quoting statements not issued by him.
“Cricket is a well respected sport. I have a responsibility to create an environment to enable the sport to be played in a proper manner in the country in the future’, he said.
Mahela Jayawardena is the fourth Sri Lankan cricketer to be summoned to record a statement over the match- fixing allegations which were raised by former Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage in June. (Newswire)