Courtesy - The Island - by Roshen SteelmanFormer Sri Lanka cricket captain Hashan Tillakaratne pledged journalists yesterday he would definitely expose all who are involved in match-fixing, a deep rooted cancer in the game of cricket. (Pic by Siripala Halwala)
Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Hashan Tillakaratne yesterday said he would inform the International Cricket Council (ICC) on match-fixing allegations soon. But, although he said he would reveal names of those who are involved in match-fixing, Tillakaratne declined to do so yesterday on legal advice.
"Some parties want to silence me. But l believe they should not do that. What they should do is to conduct a proper investigation (on the issue). This cancer of match-fixing has spread everywhere. The roots of this don’t originate from Sri Lanka. I believe someone must take the responsibility and conduct a proper investigation regarding the matter. I will support such a venture to the fullest," said Tillakaratne, now an opposition party politician, while addressing the media in front of the Western Provincial Council in Colombo yesterday.
MoreTillakaratne said in a TV programme on April 11 that match-fixing had been taking place in Sri Lanka since as early as 1992. Yesterday he made a statement to the Western Provincial Council, of which he is a member representing the United national Party, reaffirming his earlier statement on match-fixing.
When asked why he didn’t reveal earlier the names involved in fixing matches, Tillakaratne, who in 2003 became Sri Lanka’s 7th Test Captain to lead the country in 11 Tests, answered saying it was because of his safety.
Tillakaratne further added saying; "After I came out with these allegations, I have been getting a lot of nuisance calls and death threats but I will definitely expose all those who are involved, in time to come."
Tillakaratne, who played in 83 Tests and 200 One-day Internationals for Sri Lanka between 1986 and 2004, issued a media release yesterday which included the following:
"I have made these statements neither to gain any political mileage nor to put anyone in an awkward position.
In recent times, there have been allegations that in selecting players to the national squad, some officials have received bribes and they continue to hold responsible positions in cricket administration.
I would like to reiterate here that when I made the statement to the television channel, I only did that with the intent of the wellbeing of the sport in this country."
