Mathews makes statement to FCID

Sri Lanka Captain Angelo Mathews appeared before the police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) yesterday, with his legal counsel Nishan Premathiratne, to record a statement in connection with a match-fixing scandal that has led to the suspension of a fast bowling coach.

Premathiratne stated that Mathews had been summoned by the FCID to give a statement regarding a match-fixing allegation concerning certain third parties, adding that despite media reports on the matter, Mathews had made no attempt to seek a postponement from the FCID.

He also revealed that it was Mathews, being the captain of the cricket team, who requested the respective player to complain to the relevant authorities on being approached by a third party. Addressing the media, Mathews appreciated the efforts made into curtailing the issue of match fixing as the game needs to be kept clean and stated that inquiries were held not in respect of the players but of certain third parties who have attempted to approach players. He also reiterated the team’s full cooperation with the authorities on this matter.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) handed Anusha Samaranayake a two-month ban on Monday over his relationship with net bowler Gayan Wishwajith, who allegedly approached national team players to underperform during a test match against West Indies in October. “Sri Lanka Cricket has received several complaints regarding the close acquaintance of Anusha Samaranayake and the main suspect Gayan Wishvanath, who had approached several national players for the alleged illegal activities of match-fixing,” the SLC said in a statement.

“Pursuant to a preliminary inquiry conducted in this regard, Sri Lanka Cricket has decided to suspend Anusha Samaranayake for a period of two months until further investigations are concluded. “Gayan Wishvajith has been totally barred from participating in any capacity whatsoever in Sri Lanka Cricket in the future.” The FCID have already interviewed wicketkeeper Kusal Perera and leading spinner Rangana Herath about an alleged offer of thousands of dollars to engineer a batting collapse for a West Indies victory in the match at Galle. Perera is himself facing a four-year ban after the International Cricket Council (ICC) provisionally suspended him for failing an out-of-competition anti-doping test in October.

Sri Lanka Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera suggested last month that Perera could have paid the price for reporting the alleged match-fixing offer and said the country would appeal against the wicketkeeper’s provisional suspension.

“Both players (Perera and Herath) had been approached by some people to lose the second test match against West Indies in Galle last year,” a sports ministry official said. “Then they both complained to the authorities and the sports minister. Based on the complaints, the FCID started the investigations.”