Former
Sri Lanka cricket captain Hashan Tillekaratne has made a sensational revelation that match fixing has been common in Sri Lanka`s cricket and promised that he would come out with the names of the responsible persons in the near future.
Tillkaratne who led Sri Lanka in Ten Tests between 2003 and 2004 said that he could vouch with responsibility that Match fixing has been a problem in Sri Lanka`s cricket since 1992.
`I can tell this in agreement with my conscience. Match fixing is not something that started happening yesterday or today. According to my knowledge, it happened since 1992. I say this with great responsibility` said Tillekaratne who played 83 Tests and 200 One Day Internationals for Sri Lanka between 1986 and 2004.
`I am not saying that this match (The world cup final) was fixed. But anyway match fixing is something which has been in this country over a period of time. This has spread like a cancer today` Tillekaratne who has been a life member of the prestigious MCC since 2008 explained.
`There were threats of this issue being exposed during various times. But it was pushed down by giving
money to various people. If the people who were responsible for that are listening to this, I state this today with great responsibility, I will shortly reveal the names of those responsible` Tillekaratne promised when he appeared in a TV talk show after the World Cup.
`Why? Because there is a huge following of people who love cricket, and this is a side which they don`t know about` Tillekaratne explained.
`This has been happening since 1992 and I know all the people who are connected to it.`
`I say this with responsibility. It is just like a relay. I run my lap and hand over the baton to you, you complete your lap and give it to another. This is a network. No one can ever go out of it and no one can come into it`
`This situation was always there. When it came out from time to time, it was quietly swept under the carpet. If someone doesn`t intervene and stop this menace, within another two-three years in this country, with these politics, with these corrupt administrators, I believe this country won`t be second to
Pakistan in the near future` added the cricketer turned politician.
Tillekaratne who said he did not imply categorically that the recent world cup final was fixed, however expressed his reservations about the selections.
`The world cup team was selected on the (January) 7th. I questioned at a TV show why this team was picked on the day before the IPL auction. The IPL auction was on the (January) 8th. Then it was said that we have time when we pick the team before the IPL auction and it was said that we have enough time as there were ten more days. Those were the excuses given`.
`Also at the provincial tournament on the (January) 11th, 12th and 13th, we had the quarter finals, semi finals and the finals. If Sri Lanka Cricket conducted a tournament, we could have watched those tournaments and picked the team two or three days later. If that happened, I believe another two or three players could have replaced some of the players. I had my doubts whether it was the best team that was picked` Tillekaratne said.
`In this country, there is a side which you don`t know but I know. We discussed this. Inquire into this. Anyone can investigate this. Why was the team picked before the IPL?` questioned Tillekaratne who was a key member of the 1996 World Cup winning team.
Tillekaratne was also circumspect about the extensive changes in the team for the final. `Why were four players changed for this match? Those are questions that should be asked. Arjuna (Ranatunga) spoke about this, we who have played cricket talk about this. We were playing an entirely different side`
`Why was Mendis removed to put another spinner, Kapugedara was never among runs but he was chosen to replace Chamara Silva. It is not fair, is it?` he questioned.
