Aluthgamage records statement, backtracks on initial comments

Mahindananda Aluthgamage yesterday seemingly backtracked on his claims that the 2011 Cricket World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka was fixed, clarifying that he only harbours “suspicions” regarding the match.

Aluthgamage, who was Minister of Sports when the match in question took place, was speaking to the media after earlier providing a statement to a special Police investigation unit under the Ministry of Sport.

“I went to the ground during the 2011 World Cup final, I watched the match live and I have suspicions personally,” Aluthgamage stated to the media at his office in Nawalapitiya yesterday.

“That was the reason why I clearly brought attention to this, it was to get the attention of the people and get to the bottom of this.”

Aluthgamage added that he handed over a six-page letter to investigators documenting in detail all information at his disposal.

Aluthgamage first made the startling allegations last week (18 June) on a local TV news program, after which he came under strong scrutiny on social media from former players, administrators and fans alike. The former sports minister responded by stating that he was not referring to any former players, though many voices on social media queried as to how a match could be fixed without the player participation.

“Despite me saying the players weren’t involved, they still expressed their views on this. This is disappointing. There is an investigation into this now, so you’ll will be given the opportunity soon to give your opinions. I just want everyone to support this, and for it not to be politicised. I have now shared all the information I have, this now has nothing more to do with me.”

While allegations of match-fixing are always serious, in Sri Lanka they have taken on further significance after last year the country became the first in South Asia to criminalise several offences related to match-fixing.

Since Aluthgamage’s allegation last week, the ICC has also intimated they would seek to get in contact with the former sports minister regarding his comments.

Sri Lanka’s cricket for its part has been under investigation from the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit since 2017, with a handful of former cricketers having been charged and found guilty of breaching the ICC’s anti-corruption code.