Hashan Tillakaratne continues his ‘Defensive mode’

• 
• 

Details

Category: Features

Published on Wednesday, 04 May 2011 21:24

Written by Charit Tissera

Hits: 983

Hashan Tillakaratne, who was acclaimed as a defensive batsman in the then Sri Lankan batting line-up, is keeping onto his ‘signature batting style’ though he had retired from one-day cricket in 2003!

The cricketer turned politician of the opposition, Tillakaratne claimed that match-fixing had been rampant in Sri Lanka since 1992. He also said that he was determined to reveal the names of those who were involved in fixing and he would do it in the due course, at the most appropriate time.

Despite this startling revelation done by a former Sri Lankan skipper, many started pouring in comments, both in support of Tillakaratne’s attempt to expose those who were involved in this ‘criminal activity’ and against his approach, arguing it’s ‘fishy’ as to why he waited this long to make such a statement.

 

Sri Lankan players on Hashan’s allegations

Key players in the Sri Lankan cricket team have meanwhile urged their former cricket captain and teammate Hashan Tillakaratne to provide substancial proof on the alleged match fixing claims he made two weeks ago, participating in a talk show hosted by a private TV channel.

Thus far, former Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara, his deputy Mahela Jayawardane and world’s spin-king Muttiah Muralitharan have made statements from India, saying Hashan not only should make allegations but he needs to prove them.

Sangakkara, speaking to media in India said, it would be interesting to hear what Hashan had got to say and if he has anything more than allegations. Sangakkara explained that, as an experienced cricketer and one-time captain of the Sri Lankan national team, Hashan should work very closely with the ACSU (Anti-corruption and Security Unit) of the ICC and the home authorities to ensure that something's done about it if there was any foundation to those claims.

He also remarked "It's dangerous to throw names around”.

Mahela Jayawardane too made his remarks over the developing story in the Sri Lankan cricketing circles. He had urged Tillakaratne should surface with substancial proof about the allegations of fixing matches since 1992 and the team composition for this year's World Cup final.

"People can say whatever they want. You need to prove the allegations," Jayawardene was quoted by agency reports.

Sri Lanka’s most valued spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan, have made strong remarks over the allegations made by his former teammate stating, he (Hashan) should either present enough proof to support his allegations or someone could sue him!

“I don’t know why he has said this”, the celebrated spin bowler stated while adding, “Hashan has made allegations and only he is answerable for that. I don’t know what to say. These are mere allegations which have not been proved yet.”

Minister orders a police investigation

The local media reported that Hashan Tillakaratne would be making a special statement at the Provincial Council last Monday with relate to the allegation he leveled against those who have engaged in match fixing. Following the media reports, the sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage had ordered the IGP of Police, Mahinda Balasuriya to conduct an investigation into the allegations leveled by the former cricketer.

Subsequent to these developments, Hashan Tillakaratne was informed by the police, to appear at the CID (Criminal Investigations Department) to record a statement, yesterday (03).

 

Not revealing the names

"I made a statement to the provincial council - I said that I still maintain my stand on the (match-fixing) allegations," said Tillakaratne speaking to a group of media personnel, who were eagerly waiting to capture a statement from him, after he appeared before the CID.

He also said that he wouldn’t wish to reveal the names (of those who were engaged in match fixing) at that moment on instructions received by his lawyers and stated that he didn’t do so even when questioned by the CID, citing the same reason. “This has been spreading across the cricketing nations like a cancer and this was not originated in Sri Lanka”, he stressed.

 

Death Threats

Tillakaratne also declared that he has been receiving nuisance calls and death threats via phone, following the revelations made by him regarding the alleged match fixing.

"After I came out with these allegations I have been getting a lot of nuisance calls, death threats, but definitely I will expose all those who are involved in a time to come."

He also stressed that he would be working with the ICC's anti-corruption unit and revealing his ‘findings’ to them alone.

When asked why he waited so long to voice out these allegations, the cricketer turned politician said he'd been reluctant to voice his allegations until now over fear for his safety.

He also remarked that those who are responsible should investigate into the matters that could harm the sport instead of framing and blocking him of exposing the truth!

Hashan Tillakaratne had represented Sri Lanka in 83 Tests and 200 One-Day Internationals (ODI) from 1986-2004. He was also a member of the World Cup-winning team in 1996.

 

• < Prev
• Next >