Immediate Inquiry Into Former Minister’s Accusations

The Sports Ministry today (19 ) responded to allegations by former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage that the 2011 cricket World Cup final between Sri Lanka and India was fixed, by launching an immediate inquiry into the alleged incident. 

Sports Minister Dullas Alahapperuma had instructed Secretary K. A. D. S Ruwanchandra to lodge a complaint with the Ministry’s  investigation unit, and has asked for a report on progress every two weeks. 

Former Minister Aluthgamage told Sirasa TV yesterday (18), he did not accept Sri Lanka’s 2011 defeat. “We sold the 2011 World Cup finals,” he said. 

He had, however, refused to provide any evidence of his claims. “I state it with responsibility, however, I do not wish to expose the details for the sake of the country,” he said. “The game against India in 2011, which was a game which we could have won, was fixed. I would not involve the cricketers in this. However, certain groups were definitely involved in fixing the game.” 

Aluthgamage’s accusations have been met with disdain, with Kumar Sangakkara, who captained the Sri Lankan team during the World Cup asking the former minister to substantiate his claims. 

‘He needs to take his “evidence” to the ICC and the Anti-corruption and Security Unit so the claims can be investigated thoroughly,’ he tweeted. 

Vice captain and former skipper Mahela Jayawardene, too, tweeted a response. ‘Is the election around the corner?’ he wrote. ‘Looks like the circus has started. Names and evidence?’ 

In 2017, and 2018, 1996  World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga—a former minister—also alleged the 2011 World Cup cricket final between Sri Lanka and India was fixed, but the claims were rubbished by authorities and Ranatunga himself reportedly reneged on the accusation.