Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has suspended alleged individuals involved in the ‘Pitch-Doctoring’ incident after Al Jazeera’s sting operation created a major stir in the cricketing world.

Honorable Sports Minister Faiszer Musthapa in a letter addressing the SLC Secretary stated that immediate action should be taken against those individuals to protect the good name of Sri Lanka Cricket and the most loved sport in the island.

Galle curator caught in match-fixing sting

The documentary, which airs on Sunday morning..

“I was saddened and dismayed to witness the report broadcast in the Al Jazeera television network about incidents relating to alleged tampering of pitches used for international matches played at Galle International Cricket Stadium. As you are aware, the game of Cricket is the preeminent sport in Sri Lanka and has captured the hearts and minds of the public of our country. I hereby inform to promptly take steps to lodge complaints against the persons who have been allegedly involved in ‘Pitch-Fixing’. “ Minister Musthapa stated in the letter.

Therefore, the SLC executive committee has taken four decisions following an emergency meeting held on Sunday (27th).

 

  1.  SLC will complain to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) against the persons who have been allegedly involved in “Pitch Fixing” as reported in the Al Jazeera documentary.
  2.  SLC decided to suspend with immediate effect the alleged individuals involved in the said incident against whom the ICC is carrying out investigations.
  3.  SLC will fully cooperate and offer all assistance to the ICC on its investigations on the said Al Jazeera documentary which has made wider allegations globally.
  4. SLC appointed a three-member committee consisting of Mr. Mohan de Silva, Air Commodore Roshan Biyanwila and Mr. Channa Weerakkody to submit a report within three days, making recommendations on the existing protocols; applying to the Management and Staff of every venue and to implement safeguards to prevent occurrences of such incidents in the future.

According to the Al Jazeera ‘Cricket Fixers’ documentary aired during the weekend, the Assistant Manager at Galle International Cricket Stadium named Tharanga Indika claims to have doctored the pitch in two games, Sri Lanka vs Australia in 2016 and Sri Lanka vs India in 2017 for the benefit of match-fixers. He also states that he intends to doctor the Galle pitch for the upcoming England Test match in November.

A district coach attached to SLC and a professional player, Tharindu Mendis is also involved in the ‘pitch-doctoring’ scandal. Mendis captained the Sri Lanka Indoor Cricket Team last year and represented Moors Sports Club in the 2016/17 season.

Two former Sri Lanka players, Jeewantha Kulathunga and Dilhara Lokuhettige have also been exposed by the Al Jazeera program as they give their consent to fix matches. Kulathunga currently works as a SLC district coach while Lokuhettige retired from first-class cricket in 2016.

All four Sri Lankans involved in this pitch-doctoring and spot-fixing scandals have refused to comment on the allegations.

A thorough investigation will also be done by the Anti-Corruption Unit of the International Cricket Council with the help of all member countries identified in the program.

“The ICC has now had the opportunity to view the documentary into corruption in cricket and as we have previously stated, we are taking the contents of the program and the allegations it has made extremely seriously.  We have been in ongoing dialogue with the broadcaster which has refused our continual requests to cooperate and share information which has hampered our investigation to date. The content of the program, is of course useful to the investigation, but I would now urge the production team to provide us with all un-edited and unseen evidence they are in possession of, to enable us to expedite a thorough investigation.” Alex Marshall, ICC General Manager – Anti-Corruption Unit said in a statement.

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