In a sensational disclosure, former Sri Lankan skipper Hashan Tilakaratne alleged that his country has been rigging ODI matches and the Tests since 1992 and questioned the selections made by the Lankan selectors for the World Cricket Cup 2011 finals.
Sri Lanka's Sports Minister Mahindanada Aluthgamage denied the allegations and asked the former captain to show proof for his allegations.
“Match fixing has not started newly, it has been there since 1992,” Tilakaratne, who played 83 Tests and 200 ODIs for Sri Lanka, told the prominent daily ‘The Daily Mirror’ in an interview.
“I don’t say that the world cup final match with India was fixed but anyway match-fixing is there in this country since 1992 and has spread like a cancer today,” the paper quoted him as saying.
“Tilakaratne’s comments are totally uncalled for. I deny his comments and Hashan should show proof of match-fixing to the Ministry. If he gives us something in writing, we will look into it. Sri Lankan players would never do such a thing as they play for the country always. These allegations are utterly baseless,” he said.
Aluthgamage said Tilakaratne has resorted to making these allegations to defame the government as he is now in the opposition United National Party.
However, Hashan Tilakaratne said he will shortly reveal the names of those responsible for the match fixing.