Former Sri Lanka cricketers Jeevantha Kulatunga and Dilhara Lokuhettige have, on Monday (May 28), denied wrongdoing after the two players became the subject of discussion following Al Jazeera Television Network’s sting operation on corruption in cricket.
Kulatunga, who is employed by Sri Lanka Cricket as a coach, was suspended until an ICC investigation was complete. Lokuhettige, who represented Sri Lanka in 11 internationals, currently lives in Melbourne, Australia.
The documentary aired by Al Jazeera on Sunday implicates Kulatunga willing to cooperate with alleged match fixers. He makes several startling statements including, ‘It’s is easy to under perform.’ But he told Cricbuzz that he had fallen prey to a trap.
“I am innocent,” Kulatunga said. “I was trapped into this. I know Robin Morris from my playing days in England. We had first met in 2006. Last year, one evening, he called me up and said that he was in Colombo and wanted to meet up for a drink. It was a casual meet up and I ended up getting drunk. I was dragged into this,” Kulatunga, a veteran of over 200 First Class games said.
“I had no idea whatsoever what Robin was up to. All what I can remember is that he introduced me to someone whom he claimed was a friend,” Kulatunga added.
Kulatunga is contemplating legal action. “I have done nothing wrong and I feel I am being unfairly criticized. My lawyer is overseas and once he returns home, we will take legal action,” Kulatunga added.
Lokuhettige, who has played little cricket since injuring his leg in 2016, is surprised at the allegations levelled against him. “I currently live in Australia and during one of my visits to Colombo wanted to visit Jeevantha. He asked me to come to a certain hotel in Colombo where he was going to meet another friend. We had a few drinks,” Lokuhettige told Cricbuzz.
“During my days playing for Sri Lanka, I had attended several meetings conducted by the Anti Corruption Unit of the ICC. I realized that something was wrong. If you watch the documentary, my body language will give you a clear indication. Since I wasn’t playing any cricket due to my injury, I was not available to play any cricket and whatever the suggestions that were made during the meet up was not relevant for me. I had no idea who these guys were,” he said.
Both players said that they were intoxicated and didn’t take the discussion seriously to report it to the ICC ACU.
Apart from the two players, another former First Class cricketer Tharindu Mendis is implicated in the controversy. Mendis is a District Coach employed by SLC and has been suspended. The board also suspended the Assistant Manager of the Galle International Cricket Stadium Tharanga Indika.
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