2011 WC Final fixing claims: Sanga and Mahela demand evidence

18 June 2020 07:00 pm - 29 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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In response to former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage’s allegation that the 2011 Cricket World Cup Final between India and Sri Lanka was fixed, former Sri Lankan Cricketers Mahela Jayawardana and Kumar Sangakkara demanded the names and evidence involved, be revealed.

In an interview with a private television channel, Aluthgamage alleged that he can responsibly claim that the match was sold to India by certain parties. He said he wished not to involve names of any players.

However, responding to the claims, Mahela Jayawardana tweeted, “Is the elections around the corner? Looks like the circus has started. Names and evidence? #SLpolitics #ICC.”

Kumar Sangakkara who was the captain of the Sri Lankan Cricket team during the 2011 WC final, tweeted that the former minister needs to take his “evidence” to the ICC and the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit so the claims could be investigated thoroughly.

When contacted by the Daily Mirror, Sangakkara further said it is baffling why Aluthgamage who was the sports minister at that time, waited so long to open up about something this serious in such a casual manner.

Former Sri Lanka cricketer and former Sri Lankan cricket team Batting Coach Tilan Samaraweera also tweeted and said, “What a shaky statement! Why couldn't the person who was on the highest seat of sports then, .... Get this investigated by the ICC, then?

Meanwhile, the Daily Mirror spoke to Sri Lanka Cricket Board Chairman Shammi Silva regarding the allegation. He said the SLC has never received a complaint or any report over the 2011 WC Final match.

“We have not received any reports about allegations over any incident of fixing the 2011 World Cup Final match. I wasn’t even in the SLC then. Therefore, I don’t have much to say about this allegation. It is only the former minister who levelled the allegation who needs to explain his claim,” Silva told the Daily Mirror. (Lahiru Pothmulla and Piyumi Fonseka)

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Comments - 29

Vijay Thursday, 18 June 2020 08:06 PM

Please dont ruin best players image..Sanga and Mahela are true gentlemen and people's across world love them

saracat Thursday, 18 June 2020 08:13 PM

It is not worth for you both to worry on his allegations. These politicians play different political game and they never play a gentlemen game.

Kut Thursday, 18 June 2020 08:34 PM

MAHINDA ALUTHGAMAGE IF YOU KNOW THE FACT WHY YOU CANNOT TELL THE TRUTH. SAME ON YOU. HAPPENED IN 2011 NOW 2020 NINE YEARS WHERE ARE YOU? WE THINK YOUR COMMISSION NOT SETTLE FULLY???? ALL BLADY POLITICIANS ARE SAME TRACK ONLY. ANY THINK WILL INFORM AFTER SO MANY YEARS ONLY

sameer Thursday, 18 June 2020 08:35 PM

and the circus begings what more entertaining accusations are we gonna see bring it on our sri lankan people will still vote for all you liars....so dont worry just put it all out....

Jaco Thursday, 18 June 2020 08:45 PM

Actually this speculation was there since the day of that final match. Remember Arjuna Ranatunga also saying this earlier.

SHEHAN M Thursday, 18 June 2020 09:15 PM

Although, I don’t believe a word of that foul mouth minister, this time he (Althugamage) has a point. Even if you watch the full highlights on YouTube today, it’s evident on second half, how the SL team motivation/ winning spirit suddenly drops, including poor fielding and drop catches and was basically giving runs to Indians to win the watch, This should be seriously investigated by SLC and ICC,

Sportsman Thursday, 18 June 2020 09:15 PM

Looks like an outright attack on Sanga. First a golf course and now WC final. Both Sports Ministers of shady pasts. May be because he will not sell his soul like Sanath. These cricketers earned their money playing for the country while others earned by looting the country.

Hubert Thursday, 18 June 2020 09:17 PM

Sakkiliya is trying to tarnish others

Charles F Thursday, 18 June 2020 09:26 PM

Outrageous statement by the ex sports minister. He could have investigated the issue as a sports minister then. Sachin, Sehwag, Dhoni, Sangakkara, Jayawardene, Malinga and all players are of high reputations and dignity. They should demand investigation against the claims.

Jehan Thursday, 18 June 2020 09:33 PM

Is it a hatchet job for speaking out against the stadium, somebody was eying a big commission.

Jimmy Thursday, 18 June 2020 09:35 PM

This perhaps is the only truth that Mahindananda has ever spoken.

Ranjith Thursday, 18 June 2020 09:38 PM

I'm quite sure that Sanga and Mahela were not aware. Hope the ICC will probe the match.

Janith Silva Thursday, 18 June 2020 09:41 PM

According to bookies a Final match encounter rakes in hundreds of millions of dollars.

Ruwan Putha Thursday, 18 June 2020 11:09 PM

Prima Donnas driven by greed will be there to challenge the alleged malpractices in this game.

Spanner Thursday, 18 June 2020 11:34 PM

Perhaps Aluthgamage minister opened a can of worms by mistake.

Jaffna Logic Thursday, 18 June 2020 11:40 PM

Sangakara and Jayawardana are highly respected and highly talented cricketers. But the allegations are very serious even if it is coming from a politician. India is a corrupt country even though the West worships it as a source of decency. Whether the Indians would have succeeded in corrupting some one from the Sri Lankan side, the possibility can not be ruled out. The way our players played that match specially in the last few overs and the reaction after loosing the match were baffling to all the Sri Lankans who were watching the match. Sangakara and Jayawardana must appeal to the Supreme Court by any means possible that would force the Minister to reveal whatever information he has in his possession.

Chandana Walgama Thursday, 18 June 2020 11:44 PM

I think if at all a match fixing was there, Mahaindanada was behind...

ravin Thursday, 18 June 2020 11:46 PM

Sanga and Mahela, you two know very well these politicasses have used to open all their gaps during election period and when they are not in power. Moment they get power they rob the country. That their norms of conduct themselves. Ignore the idiots. If possible get the ICC to investigate and get your good names cleared on priority basis in the name of the game. Spent your own funds published the results for all your fans to know. That will keep those asses at bay.

Murshid Idroos Friday, 19 June 2020 09:05 AM

Or Mr Mahindananda U know it well in legal terms if u cannot reveal names dont talk about such things in the air Not accepted trying to be relevant at any cost at these times after sleeping all these days.

Zulkifli Nazim Friday, 19 June 2020 09:31 AM

Why was Aluthgamage silent for nine years? He had never ever raised this question all these years, strangely, it is ironic that he had been the Sports Minister. Is this is some sort of diversionary tactic, another drama by the minister, as pointed out by Mahela Jayawardena.

Yehiya Friday, 19 June 2020 09:35 AM

Media have to work with responsibility. These two players free spokesman

Manil De Mel Friday, 19 June 2020 09:46 AM

It is very sad the Minister who was in charge of sports at that point of time says he knew the match was sold and for so long did not do any thing about it. This is typical Sri Lankan politics. When the elections are around the corner all kind of crap comes out, robbers and thief's become hero's and savers of the nation. most saddest part is these people make allegations and accusations but do not provide and credible evidence. This is a very serious allegation, Mr. Minister now that you have made the accusation, I think the criminal investigation department should immediately start investigating this matter and you should go and make a formal complain. If you do not then we know it is another election gimmick

Renu Friday, 19 June 2020 09:58 AM

No Youth or cricket lover should vote for this uneducated foolish Politician who bring out some unwanted comments about players in the World Cup in 2011. Lets have us vote against him in 2020. He is a loud mouth , Vociferous , unprincipled guy from Kotmale and a fraud that everybody knows but entertained by the present Government

Sam M. Friday, 19 June 2020 10:07 AM

I have nothing to do with Mahindananda but there was some suspicion behind that win. It was the only cup that Tendulkar did not have under his belt and he was about to retire. India had a big say in SL cricket and I believe they were bank-rolling SLCB for sometime. Several Lankans were also playing in the IPL and a good word here and there could have helped in a big way. I wonder who selected Kapugedera for the team. It cannot be an error of judgement! Cricinfo describes him as among the more frustrating players to have represented Sri Lanka in recent years. True it is hard to prove with evidence. I remember in earlier games some of our good players getting out playing uncharacteristic shots but there had been no in-depth investigations into Sri Lankan players' match-fixing allegations. However, I support Mahela and Sangha's idea that we don't need any more stadiums.

Johan Friday, 19 June 2020 10:40 AM

This Mahindananda Aluthgamage's talk will be always to grabs votes.Sometime back in ITN debate very clearly he said March April electricity bills will not be charged to consumers.Recently he refuted this claim and said what he said was misinterpreted. We don't know in which language his mind works and whether his mouth speaks Sinhala

Roshanaly Friday, 19 June 2020 10:44 AM

Sanga and Mahela are gentlemen, but they are helpless when they get orders from powerful Politician.

Dann Jay Friday, 19 June 2020 11:15 AM

I watched the match with a few of my friends and all of us felt that some batsmen were getting out intentionally. That was what we observed and felt at the time, nothing more.

Daney Friday, 19 June 2020 01:25 PM

IF YOU ARE CLEAN..WHY WORRY...???

Asoka seneviratne Friday, 19 June 2020 02:01 PM

Minister must be examined at the right place, befote any inverstigatioin is c erried out

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2011 WC Final fixing claims: Sanga and Mahela demand evidence

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