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SLPL shrouded in more mystery

14 August 2012 01:42 am - 27     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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News of the "alleged corruption which centres around a taped conversation" has spread in several media outlets locally and internationally after Sri Lanka Cricket issued a press released on Sunday to this effect.
 
The release states that the tape, which was given to a ‘Sri Lankan Newspaper’ and SLC, was handed over to an official of the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) for further investigation.
 
Daily Mirror exclusively reveals that it was the first to gain possession of the above mentioned tape prior to the launch of the SLPL.
 
The tape came into our possession when a source, who claimed to be a part of the conversation and closely connected to the SLPL, contacted the writers of the article titled “Shady SLPL Still Shrouded in Mystery” published on July 20 – which generated a fair amount of difference in opinion – last Tuesday (August 7) stating that he was in possession of this tape allegedly involving a team owner of the SLPL conspiring to fix games.
 
After deliberating if the story was worth the powder and shot, the writers chose to confer with the editors.
 
Afterwards it was decided not to publish the would-have-been expose, despite the temptation to publish what would have been a ground breaking revelation for Sri Lanka cricket, due to the difficulty in establishing the authenticity of the recording.
 
The tape contained a conversation almost entirely in Hindi and we acquired the services of a translator in order to verify its contents on Thursday August 9. We were told by our translator that it was clear that the conversation revolved around “bookies and fixing games”.
 
We informed Somerset Entertainment Ventures (SEV), the event’s organisers, about the recording as soon as details of the conversation were confirmed to us by our translator, the day before the launch of the SLPL. We did this on the insistence of our source who assured us that SEV "would recognise the voice."
 
We also informed SEV that we did not wish to publish the contents and requested them to visit our office together with a representative of SLC in order to listen to the tape. We were informed that the final meeting of the franchise holders and organisers was to take place that afternoon and they would visit the office as soon as the meeting was over.
 
Two high profile representatives from SEV and Sri Lanka Cricket visited our office upon the conclusion of the said meeting.
 
The tape was played in the presence of the writers and news editors and the two representatives of SEV and SLC. The conversation was inaudible at some parts except for a few words in English. The representative from SEV was from India and he listened to the entire conversation closely.
 
He confirmed that there was talk of throwing away matches for a certain sum and also said he suspects that he recognised the voice in the conversation, which corresponded with the name of the suspect that the Daily Mirror was provided with by the source.

Our stance was that the ICC anti corruption Unit was the best independent authority with the required resources to identify the authenticity of the recording and act accordingly. A copy of the recording was given to the gentlemen later that evening.
 
We urged them however to take necessary action against the suspected offenders and they ensured us that they would.
 
On August 10 we called both the SLC representative, who visited the office and heard the tape, and Secretary of SLC Nishantha Ranatunga in order to follow up on the progress of the issue brought to their notice. It was then confirmed by both gentlemen that the tape was given to the ICC anti-corruption unit for further investigation.
 
As soon as it was confirmed that SLC and the event organisers, SEV, took prompt action in dealing with the matter we decided that we would end it there.
 
However, after SLC issued the press release, which was picked up by many media outlets locally as well as internationally, we decided to state our account of the story that could have been the story of the year. We do so in the interest of the public. The story, if published leading to the launch of the SLPL, had the potential to create major repercussions to both the SLPL and Sri Lanka cricket at large. (Hafeel Farisz and Shehan Daniel)

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  Comments - 27

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  • Nishantha Tuesday, 14 August 2012 04:59 AM

    Sri Lanka will never beat India in future as long as our senior players are involved in IPL. It was very very apparent in the recently concluded series.

    badshah yousaf Wednesday, 15 August 2012 09:34 AM

    How can I watch the SLPL. Please advise

    ROSHAN Wednesday, 15 August 2012 04:54 AM

    We are all eagerly come to watch the match in spite of
    all importance workload as well as work stress our
    batsman are simply throwing out the wicket and going
    to pavilion,they do not care how many million fans
    mentally suffering due to this stupid people carelessness
    they never bothered others,recently concluded micro max
    cup,our senior players had played like kids,this is really
    hurt all of sri lankan crickets loving fans,in our country
    nobody have patriotism merely bluffing for publicty
    god only should save sri lanka
    pls publish this for interest of my motherland

    citizen1 Tuesday, 14 August 2012 06:45 PM

    Well said.

    Managala Tuesday, 14 August 2012 01:18 PM

    Hats off for DM for responsible Media Coverage !!! We thank you for revealing this information.

    Hisham Sheriffdeen Tuesday, 14 August 2012 12:32 PM

    Great Journalism ! When Media outlets are going for sensational news, you have done a great job.

    Well Done DM.

    Kalana Tuesday, 14 August 2012 10:52 AM

    Not only cricket, in futher it will be big issue. See what Karunanidhi's plan.

    Kalana Tuesday, 14 August 2012 11:00 AM

    I don't understand, how they can earn, as there are not many people to watch matches. Not popular. Fedup with sri lankan cricket. The SLPL SONG itself worst, like someone shouting like getting killed.

    MJ Tuesday, 14 August 2012 07:45 AM

    The entire SLPL is corrupt as even SEV act as a proxy. I have the entire evidence as I have done a long research by even went to Singapore and SEV does not operate there though they have mentioned about company records.

    ANURA Tuesday, 14 August 2012 07:38 AM

    Well , the whole issue subjected to question should be thoroughly investigated by the ICC anti corruption committee.
    All aspects including srilankan officials involved in this cricket tournement should be investigated.
    .

    Jazz Tuesday, 14 August 2012 07:16 AM

    To be honest, all these so called cricketers are more corrupt than our own politicians.International cricket has been and continues to be the most corrupt sport in the world & Indian bookies are at the heart of the problem.

    Just Another Citizen Tuesday, 14 August 2012 06:55 AM

    Thanks for exposing, hopefully the Sri Lankan's behind the fixing will be revealed. And there will be no escape then.

    RegularJoe Tuesday, 14 August 2012 05:17 AM

    highly likely - remember how hard the indians tried to involve SL players with fixing a couple of years back?

    richardsonardskirti@ Tuesday, 14 August 2012 05:20 AM

    Sweep it under the carpet as usual, Nothing will happen.

    lalith Tuesday, 14 August 2012 02:23 AM

    everyone was well aware of this... thank u DM for exposing this

    Jayantha Jayamanne Tuesday, 14 August 2012 04:47 AM

    Correct Samantha, it can be Indians or Pakistani's who too speak and write Hindi. However, the deal makers are our guys means - our businessmen who are heating up the Board of Cricket upper chairs.

    Sammy Tuesday, 14 August 2012 04:21 AM

    Though it has been mostly some Indian (& Pakistani) bookies who have been behind match fixing issues in cricket, it is silly to pass the buck onto any country (India or Pakistan). It is the greedy, immoral players who have to be taken to task, if at all. There would be no match fixing if players do not permit it.

    Cyclops Tuesday, 14 August 2012 04:19 AM

    I think you are right, it could be that the Indians are behind this whole affair for it is they who stand to gain or else why did they refuse to participate? Smells of sabotage!

    Amarathunga Chandika Tuesday, 14 August 2012 04:37 AM

    Hanky Panky games taking place within the SriLankan Cricket Board. What Arujuna told was 100% truth. He opposed SLPL because of this reason.

    Bikechain Bubbleband Tuesday, 14 August 2012 04:35 AM

    This is a serious matter as it has been observed by the ICC. Our Cricket Board is solely responsible for this illegal acts. Our reputation in Crecket will go for dogs, unless and otherwise the Present Board of Crecket of SL officials are polished off and a new set of officials who are born cricketers and not businessmen.

    Godagampala Rohana Tuesday, 14 August 2012 04:31 AM

    Its a good lession, hereadfter SL Cricketers should not be allowed to partake in the IPL. Whoever, wish to partake has to go and settle-down in iNDIA itself.

    Game Over Tuesday, 14 August 2012 04:31 AM

    Also please educate us on the minister's and some officials involvement in the who fixing game. We all knew that this was only an exercise to earn some quick bucks.

    Dadoriya Tuesday, 14 August 2012 04:07 AM

    Not worth the trouble!

    Dee Tuesday, 14 August 2012 03:55 AM

    better not discuss this subject.

    Shace-uk Tuesday, 14 August 2012 03:23 AM

    Entire conversation was in Hindi!!!!! Well India is the biggest threat to SL cricket!!!!

    Samantha Tuesday, 14 August 2012 03:22 AM

    If this conversation in HINDHI . INDIANS or INDIA may be behind this
    This can be a made story against SLPL

    Sadarana_Kota Tuesday, 14 August 2012 03:22 AM

    Well done DM..........


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