Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) fast-bowling coach, Anusha Samaranayake who has been accused of allegedly provoking players to engage in match fixing has been suspended by the SLC authorities on Monday.
Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Mohan De Silva confirmed to a local TV station that Samaranayake though not directly involved, is said to have a close connection to the local fixer – identified as Gayan Vishwajith.
De Silva also iterated that the net-bowler Vishwajith who has also been accused of encouraging players to engage in match fixing will no longer be allowed to engage in any activities concerning Sri Lanka Cricket.
All revelations came to light when the suspected bookie had made approaches to national cricketers Kusal Janith Perera and Rangana Herath during Sri Lanka’s home series against West Indies in October. The two Lankan cricketers rejected the offer and reported immediately to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit – Sri Lanka branch, which is headed by retired SSP Lakshman De Silva.
“We will be compelled to suspend the fast-bowling coach involved until the investigations are over. I have asked for a report from the anti-corruption officer and we will make the call based the report.” SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala said to the media on Sunday following an official visit to the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
