Officials purchased car companies after losing match: Aluthgamage

19 June 2020 11:58 am - 29 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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“I wrote to the ICC in 2012 regarding this matter, yet they failed to respond”

“Some Cricket officials have purchased car companies, started new businesses after match loss”

“The Team changed in the last moment without prior consultation”

“An Indian newspaper knew about the team change before us, but how?”

“This match made me initiate anti-fixing bill”

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said he had already complained to the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the alleged match fixing incident in 2011 and demanded an investigation to be carried out to find out ‘how certain cricket officials’ allegedly purchased car companies and started new businesses within a year of losing the the match.

He reiterated that he did not refer to any players, but officials in the cricket industry.

Enumerating his allegation over the 2011 Cricket World Cup fixing, Aluthgamage said he had written to the ICC in 2012 regarding the alleged fixing of matches and three other important issues, he had noticed in Sri Lankan Cricket during his tenure.

He said this was the third time him was speaking on this particular matter and there was nothing new or different to what he had said earlier.

He claimed that until the cricket match was played with New Zealand, the Sri Lankan team was playing well and that the final with India was a match the Sri Lankan team were to tipped to win.

“The team who played the final match was not the team we had selected, finalized and sent off. At the last moment, without the consultation of either me as the then minister of Sports or officials of the Sri Lanka Cricket Control Board, four new players had been included to the team. We saw this only when we watched the match. How could four players get replaced without due approvals and consultations? The new players were inexperienced compared to the rest of the team. Why did they do that out of the blue?” Aluthgamage questioned.

Despite the Sri Lankan officials being unaware of the change of the team members, an Indian newspaper had carried an article regarding the change of the team a day before the final match, he alleged. Then, he raised another question as to how Indian media knew about something so important that the Sri Lankan Sports Minister and Cricket Control Board had no idea of.

He claimed that he is still in possession of the said letter, but cannot publish it. However, he said the ICC had not responded to his letter.

Aluthgamage said it was the 2011 Cricket WC Final match which made him initiate the bill "Prevention of Offences Related to Sports" which made Sri Lanka the first South Asian nation to criminalise several offences related to match-fixing.

“Mahela has said that the circus has started. I don’t understand why Sanga and Mahela are making a big deal about this. I am not referring to any of our players. Everyone is talking about just two minutes of a half an hour interview I gave to a TV channel. Even Arjuna Ranatunga has openly talked about match fixing issues earlier,” Aluthgamage further said. (Piyumi Fonseka)

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Comments - 29

Sunil Friday, 19 June 2020 12:27 PM

This is not convincing evidence at all.

INVESTIGATE Friday, 19 June 2020 12:28 PM

This must be SERIOUSLY investigated. There is no smoke without fire. Who ever thought Hansie Cronje would get caught. He too was corrupt. His death was suspicious too. This is the EVIL when big money is involved. CRICKET IS NOT CRICKET ANYMORE THE DAYS OF BRADMAN ERA IS DEAD AND GONE SO IS HONESTY IN THIS GENTLEMAN'S GAME. MANY GAMES ARE RIGGED ESPECIALLY WHEN INDIANS ARE INVOLVED. PERHAPS THIS TOO WILL BE SWEPT UNDER THE CARPET!

janaka Friday, 19 June 2020 12:32 PM

Yes knew your then President Mahinda Rajapaksha went to the Grounds and asked our fellows to loose the match . This was the story at that time. Now Cat is out of the Bag

TJ Friday, 19 June 2020 12:32 PM

Did you make a complaint with the CID in 2012? Why this issue is being raised after 8 years?

Siv Friday, 19 June 2020 12:33 PM

Wow...Mr. Aluthgame talking about match fixing and fraud... how many frauds you have done in the first place, Can you please reveal that honestly to people....

Anura Friday, 19 June 2020 12:44 PM

The day we became the world champions in 1996 India decided to weaken our cricket team by any illegal way possible. India felt Sri Lanka to be a cricketing threat for its cricket team.

janaka Friday, 19 June 2020 12:45 PM

Why cannot you reveal the truth now, Why do you have to wait one day to come by that time you will be thrown away from politics and will be behind bars counting iron bars in the prison.

Cricketer Friday, 19 June 2020 12:46 PM

Does Aluthgamage think this an opportune time to re-dig this issue? If there was an improper change in the team at the 11th hour as alleged, what did the Cricket Board do ? The ICC may not have taken Aluthgamage's complaint seriously as it has come from a questionable character.

E. Fernando Friday, 19 June 2020 12:48 PM

Lots of recent efforts made to discredit the cricketers who attended the meeting about the cricket grounds. Do they really think people won't see through their tricks

Mk Friday, 19 June 2020 12:52 PM

MAHINDANANDA NOW WE KNOW WHO THE CULPRIT AFTER EIGHT YEARS YOU OPENED THE MOUTH. IF YOU KNEW WHY NOT INFORM IMMEDIATELY FOR HIGHER AUTHORITY. THAT MEANS SOMETHING WENT WRONG SOMEWHERE. WHY NOT RESIGN THE SPORT MINISTER POST. ???COMING COLORS NO GOOD.

lalu Friday, 19 June 2020 01:06 PM

Fixing or not SLC Board is fully corrupt. Even if they buy Aircrafts no need to be exited

Sad Friday, 19 June 2020 02:11 PM

At that time 274 was very hard to chase. Everyone was suspicious about the end result.

ravin Friday, 19 June 2020 02:13 PM

It is very strange. Isn't it? Do you honestly think ICC is managed by a set of fools, idiots, robbers, bribe takers so on and so forth ? Why you trying to get all cricketers hit wicketed now. They did not allow few of you to make a another white elephant at homagama and rob the country its wealth. Do not shed crocodile tears.

KOLA KOTIYA Friday, 19 June 2020 02:49 PM

WE KNEW THIS ON THE SAME DAY. AFTER THAT WORLD CUP I GAVE UP CRICKET INTEREST

suren Friday, 19 June 2020 02:55 PM

ICC would not do anything to upset India.That is why Mahindananda's complaint was not taken up by the ICC. ICC is toothless body specially won't do anything to open this up. Our cricketers know this. Do not forget places for IPL were on the offing at the time for star players.

Alfred Collins Friday, 19 June 2020 02:55 PM

Mahindananda your cheap political career which the whole nations knows and your personality is full of garbage. Sanga

David De Silva Friday, 19 June 2020 04:04 PM

Lal - I don't understand why you have to come out with all these stories. It seems to me you are a man without a backbone and trying to get some points. We don't want to have a minister of your caliber in the next Govt.

Somapala Friday, 19 June 2020 05:02 PM

I am very sad to see the comments made by some, to support the opportunistic comments by one of the most corrupt politicians in the country.

Haji Friday, 19 June 2020 05:28 PM

Man of the match of the semi final was dropped in the final match

Antany Peter Friday, 19 June 2020 06:04 PM

The country needs an investigation about the Mahindananda Aluthgamage's wealth and how he has optained all of them.

k karadana Friday, 19 June 2020 07:48 PM

there was something on thoses days ,but everything gone under the mat , i believe this need to be investigated

Ranga Friday, 19 June 2020 08:46 PM

Why was he sitting on this for 9 years? Conflict of Interests? If he has evidence, he should share it with the media. Let the people decide.

idiot Friday, 19 June 2020 10:05 PM

for the foolish sinheleyas arrack baila and cricket is everything.

Rohana Perera Friday, 19 June 2020 10:42 PM

Mr. Aluthgamage, Can you declare your assets before coming in to politics and up to today? Mr. President, please tell these people to keep their mouth shut. This is like you shit on a fan and put the switch on. What a disgrace you your team.

Buddhist Friday, 19 June 2020 10:53 PM

With what money was the Nawalapitiya stadium made? Was it not the Cricket money and who can have a world class tournament in Nawalapitiya?

Era Saturday, 20 June 2020 08:17 AM

Man of the Match semi final was Sanga. He was the captain and was not dropped. P do not post incorrect information.

G. Appuhami Saturday, 20 June 2020 10:59 AM

These are the clowns that the people in this country elect to represent them. Nothing wrong with Aluthgamage, it's the issue with the voters. Then are so illiterate that they have no idea how to develop a country by establishing law and order and developing the economy. These so called elected privileged savages enjoy all the luxuries yet the dumb voters are electing them. It's a vicious cycle-unless there is a dictatorship SL will never prosper.

Samson Saturday, 20 June 2020 12:09 PM

Only these officials bought car companies. What about those who bought properties in SL and overseas?

Mohamed Ishak Friday, 26 June 2020 11:50 PM

Manthri Look at my face and say I'm no cheater! Could you declare your earnings to support your gotten assets? If you prove your integrity then that's the time I'm going to believe the God who owns Sri Lankan identity. Parliamentarians are the trend setters when it comes to cheating and sadly it has rubbed off the greater population in a massive way. Look AH, honesty died alongside Dudley Senanayake and God was born after him.

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Officials purchased car companies after losing match: Aluthgamage

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