No record of letter from Ex-Sports Minister on 2011 CWC match-fixing claim : ICC

ICC Anti-Corruption Unit General Manager Alex Marshall in a statement said there is no record of any letter regarding this matter sent by the then Sri Lanka Sports Minister to the ICC.

He added senior ICC staff at the time have confirmed they have no recollection of receiving any such letter which would have led to an investigation adding there no reason to doubt the integrity of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Final 2011.

"We take all allegations of this nature extremely seriously and should we receive any evidence to corroborate the claims, we will review our current position," said ICC Anti-Corruption Unit General Manager Alex Marshall.

If anyone has any evidence that this match or any other has been subject to match-fixing, ICC Anti-Corruption Unit urges them to get in contact with the ICC Integrity team.

On Friday (03) afternoon the Special Investigation Unit on Prevention of Offenses Relating to Sports’ which investigated the 2011 Cricket World Cup match-fixing allegations has concluded its investigations as it found no evidence which proves the Cricket World Cup final was fixed.

In a statement, Police Headquarters said the ‘Special Investigation Unit on Prevention of Offenses Relating to Sports’ recorded statements from Ex-Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Former Chief of Selectors Aravinda De Silva, Former Cricketer Upul Tharanga and Former Cricket Captain Kumar Sangakkara.

Police Headquarters said the SIU after perusing many documents and recording evidence as well as conducting an investigation has concluded there is NO evidence to prove the 2011 Cricket World Cup final was fixed.

Sri Lanka Police said the ‘Special Investigation Unit on Prevention of Offenses Relating to Sports’ submitted a report on the probe to the Acting Inspector General of Police.

Former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Mahela Jayawardena dismissed certain media reports which claimed he was not available to provide a statement to the ‘Special Investigation Unit on Prevention of Offenses Relating to Sports’ with regard to the 2011 Cricket World Cup Final fixing claims, made by Ex-Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage.

Jayawardena said he was informed via his counsel to appear at the SIU on Friday (03) to provide a statement and on Thursday (02) night he was informed by the SIU that a separate date would be allocated for him to provide a statement.

He said certain media reports on Friday morning claimed he was not appearing at the SIU citing personal reasons and stressed he never made such a claim.

The Former Cricket Captain highlighted that he decided to appear at the SIU despite being told not to by investigators as he believed there needs to be justice.

“I love the sport of cricket and I respect the sport,” said Jayawardena noting it was his responsibility to provide required details to the investigators.

Mahela Jayawardena requested not to publish unverified reports about him adding he has a responsibility to ensure an environment is created for cricket to be played in a proper manner in Sri Lanka.

Jayawardena went on to note he would extend his support to the investigations and praised the conduct of the investigating officers.

Former Sri Lankan Cricket Captain Kumar Sangakkara provided a statement to the ‘Special Investigation Unit on Prevention of Offenses Relating to Sports’ for almost 10 hours on Thursday.

Considered as one of the greats in the world of cricket, Sangakkara was summoned to the ‘Special Investigation Unit on Prevention of Offenses Relating to Sports’ with regard to the 2011 Cricket World Cup Final fixing claims, made by Ex-Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage.

Speaking to reporters after providing a statement, the former Sri Lankan skipper said the truth about the statement made by Ex-Minister Aluthgamage will be revealed following the conclusion of the investigations.

How it all began ;

On the 18th of June Former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage in an interview said the 2011 Cricket World Cup Final between India & Sri Lanka was fixed.

The Former Minister said he made the claim with absolute responsibility and does not wish to expose further details for the sake of the country.

Mahindananda Aluthgamage said “I would not involve the cricketers in this. However, certain groups were definitely involved in fixing the game”.

Kumar Sangakkara led the Sri Lankan Cricket team in the 2011 Cricket World Cup and resigned from the job three days after his team lost to India in the World Cup final.