Police to probe domestic match fixing

There is new hope that individuals who engaged and encouraged match fixing in domestic cricket will be severely dealt with after Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa confirmed that he will hand over the reports pertaining to the incident to the Police to probe into the matter.

Reputation of the game of cricket suffered damages beyond repair after a First Class match involving Panadura SC and Kalutara PCC was fixed in such a manner that the former gained promotion to the top division of Premier League while the latter continued to play First Class cricket. Both clubs have been found guilty after several inquiries initiated by Sri Lanka Cricket and the Ministry of Sports but these damning reports have been thrown under the carpet eventhough the incident took place three years ago.

Although the Yahapalana government made a hue and cry on preventing corruption in cricket, precious little was done in reality.

Some of the reports pertaining to the incident such as the Match Referee’s report, domestic inquiry report and President’s Counsel Palitha Kumarasinghe’s report have been handed over to the Minister of Sports Namal Rajapaksa. He is expecting some more reports regarding the issue.

Rajapaksa told The Island that after he receives all documents they will be handed over to the Police.

A Special Police Investigation Unit was established last year to prevent corruption in all sports.

The Police unit is based at the Sugathadas Stadium and once the Sports Minister hands over the documents they will investigate the allegations.

Several prominent figures in cricket have been dragged into the incident and the most high profile one amongst them is SLC Vice-President Ravin Wickramaratne. A former President of Panadura SC, Wickramaratne has maintained his innocence.

However, there is incriminating evidence against Wickramaratne with former Test cricketer Chamara Silva, who captained Panadura SC pointing fingers at him in an affidavit.

A report by PC Palitha Kumarasinghe also questions the roles of some prominent SLC officials.

It seems that all in cricket circles agree that the said First Class game was fixed but three years on we are yet to find the culprits.