ICC to announce amnesty to come forward with information on corruption

• Sri Lanka Cricket the most corrupt in the world, ICC Anti-Corruption Unit reveals 
• ICC to set up anti-corruption office in Sri Lanka to carry out investigations 
• ICC investigations reveal underworld links in SLC corruption
• Interim committee may be allowed by ICC – Sports Minister 

By Chathuri Dissanayake

The Anti-Corruption Unit of International Cricket, which is to establish a permanent office in Sri Lanka to investigate corruption in Sri Lankan Cricket, will announce an amnesty period for cricketers to come forward with information, Sports Minister Harin Fernando said yesterday. 

“We request all sportsmen to come forward, and ICC will give an amnesty period for the sportsmen and women. The ICC has a code of conduct and they take strong action against misconduct,” he noted, speaking at a media briefing held yesterday. 

ICC is to establish a full-time Anti-Corruption Unit in Sri Lanka with the aim of completing the ongoing investigations within the next two months, with at least part of the cost being borne by Sri Lanka to support the work. 

Current investigations on corruption in Sri Lanka Cricket has revealed underworld links as well, the Minister said. Fernando, who met ICC Anti-Corruption Unit Head Lex Marshal on 27 December, said he was given a brief update on the ongoing investigations. 

“ICC said it’s not a problem connected to any bookie but the corruption extends to the underworld. The ICC said that this is not just limited to the betting centres or bookies,” he said. 

However, Fernando noted that the situation has been created by officials.

Speaking of his meeting with Marshal, Fernando said: “Sri Lanka is considered the topmost corrupt country.”

“He (Marshal) even mentioned that even though Zimbabwe was corrupt, too, at least the administration is better. But in Sri Lanka, from top to bottom, everything is corrupt, he said,” Fernando told journalists. 

ICC has concerns that individuals connected to the corruption incidents under investigation may run for office in Sri Lanka Cricket again, the Minister said, noting that the option of having an interim body to govern SLC is being evaluated as a preventive measure. 

However, a final decision will only be taken after ICC discusses the situation with the entire Board, the Minister said. Fernando expects the decision to come before 10 January. 

The Minister also said that several senior cricket players – Sidath Wettamuni, Roshan Mahanama, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena – have pledged to help revive the sport and rid it of corruption once the investigation is completed. 

“They gave me an undertaking to commit their time six months or a year. The ICC seems to be agreeable to this as well,” Fernando said. 

The Minister also intends to hold a separate inquiry on the number of clubs entitled for voting during SLC elections. Sri Lanka has over 142 votes held by different clubs compared to England’ Cricket Board, which has only 18, or Australia’s, which has only nine votes, Fernando noted. 

“Some clubs don’t even play cricket. I plan to appoint a committee to inquire into all this in the future. If not, this can become a real issue,” he said. 

The Ministry is also in the process of introducing new laws to prevent corruption in all fields of sports, and introducing laws for the prevention of match-fixing in sports. The draft legislation is now with the Attorney General’s Department, Fernando said.