Sri Lanka Sports Minister discards match-fixing claims made by Hashan Tillakaratne
Sri Lanka's sports minister, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, has discarded match-fixing claims made by former Sri Lanka captain Hashan Tillakaratne.
Aluthgamage is of the view that Tillakaratne who reportedly commented about match-fixing in Sri Lanka since 1992 has stated his private thoughts about the menace. However, the minister added that there are no valid proofs available behind his allegations.
Aluthgamage stated, “It seems that all these claims are his personal views. We don't have anything to prove the same. If he believes that such thing exists then he should come out with proof and give it to me in writing. I don't think any player will be
involved in fixing. They all play for the country.”
The Sports Minister of Sri Lanka further said that the comments made by Tillekaratne had political reasons behind them. He said that Tillekaratne was part of the opposition and was speaking on someone's behalf from the opposition benches.
Tillakaratne's comments about match-fixing in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 also raised obligations on the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2011 finale against India.
According to reports, Sri Lanka’s former skipper stated, “I can tell this in agreement with my conscience. Match fixing is not something that started happening yesterday or today. According to my knowledge, it happened since 1992. I say this with great responsibility.”
Tillekaratne said that he was not sure if the final of the ICC World Cup 2011 was fixed or not but he failed to understand the four changes made by Sri Lanka for the finale of the mega event against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750.
He said that the removal of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ajantha-c42419 Mendis and Chamara Silva was completely unjustified after their wonderful performances for Sri Lanka. He said dropping such players was an indication that match-fixing was prevalent in the country for a long time.
The veteran of 200 ODIs and 83 Test matches said that the menace had spread like cancer in the country.
Former left-hander also said that the menace of match-fixing has always been there in the country at various times. However it was pushed down by bribing different people. Tillakaratne stated that he will reveal the names of those who were involved in corruption
because he wants to eradicate the menace from its roots.
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