Sri Lanka Sports Ministry orders inquiry into 2011 World Cup fixing allegations

The Secretary of the Sri Lankan Sports Ministry has filed a complaint with the special investigations unit calling for an investigation into the accusations leveled by former sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage who, on Thursday, claimed that the 2011 World Cup final between Sri Lanka and India was fixed.

A Sports Ministry official confirmed that an investigation had been initiated on the matter.

Former Sports Minister Harin Fernando, in a tweet on Friday, stated that the International Cricket Council (ICC) should be approached in this regard rather than making unsubstantiated and wild allegations.

“Former Sports Minister Mahindananda rather than making unsubstantiated wild allegations he should complain to ICC with evidence as I did when I was the Sports Minister on a different fixing approach,” Fernando said.

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“Last year we were able to pass the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports Act in Parliament. Which can be used to punish any wrongdoers in sports,” he added.

Aluthgamage is the second senior figure to allege the final was fixed, after 1996 World Cup-winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga.

"I tell you today that we sold the 2011 World Cup finals," Aluthgamage told Sirasa TV. "Even when I was sports minister I believed this."

Aluthgamage, sports minister from 2010 to 2015 and now state minister for renewable energy and power, said he "did not want to disclose" the plot at the time.

"In 2011, we were to win, but we sold the match. I feel I can talk about it now. I am not connecting players, but some sections were involved," he said.