ICC declares grace period for players to come forward 

• Two week period from 16-31 January 
• SLC elections to happen as scheduled 
• Minister promises better payments to players from ICC funds

The International Cricket Council has granted Sri Lankan players a grace period of two weeks to come forward related to ongoing corruption investigations, Sports Minister Harin Fernando told Daily FT yesterday. 

The players have been encouraged to come forward during the two week grace period from 16-31 January regarding any incidents where they have been approached for match fixing. 

“The players have been given a two week grace period to report to ICC any incidents they may have faced regarding corruption, such as match fixing. It is punishable under the ICC code of ethics to engage in any form of activity related to match fixing. They are required to report even if a member of the team has been approached for match fixing and failed to report it. The ICC has given a grace period to come forward now,” Fernando said. 

The ICC investigation underway has already given the Sports Minister an interim report and said that they will be establishing a permanent anti-corruption office in the country. 

The Sri Lanka Cricket Board Elections, which were to be postponed, will be conducted on 7 February as scheduled, after correcting the Gazette related to Sports clubs, Fernando said. 

According to information uncovered by the investigation, the country has been deemed as one of the most corrupt in the world by the ICC, the Minister was told by ICC Anti-Corruption Unit Head Lex Marshal when they met in Dubai in December. In a bid to encourage all players amidst the ongoing controversy of corruption allegations, Fernando met the team and assured the players that they will be paid a large part of the funds sent from the ICC as they have dedicated their lives to the sport.