Protests erupt in Sri Lanka after Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene questioned over 2011 World Cup final match-fixing

Former Sri Lanka Sports Minister, a few days ago, had stunned the cricket fraternity by claiming that the 2011 World Cup final between India and Sri Lanka was fixed. MS Dhoni and his troops had emerged victorious in the final of the showpiece event at Wankhede Stadium with 10 balls to spare.

Aluthgamage, who was the Sports Minister when the World Cup took place, said that it was a game which the Lankans could’ve won. Keeping the players aside, the ex-Sports Minister had said that certain groups were definitely involved in the match-fixing incident.

“I would not involve the cricketers in this. However, certain groups were definitely involved in fixing the game,” Aluthgamage was quoted as saying in an interview with News 1st.

Sri Lanka, steered by Mahela Jayawardene’s stellar ton, managed to gather 274 runs for the loss of six wickets. Kumar Sangakkara and Nuwan Kulasekara also contributed with vital cameos to steer Sri Lanka to a challenging total.

However, the Lankans were unable to defend the target as Gautam Gambhir (97) and MS Dhoni (91*) emerged as architects of India’s triumph. Sri Lanka’s hopes of lifting the title were washed away after the MS Dhoni-led side clinched the trophy after 28 years.

“A criminal investigation has begun. It is handled by the (police) independent Special Investigation Unit on sports-related offences,” K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, the secretary to the sports ministry, had recently stated over the match-fixing matter.

Sangakkara was at the Sports Ministry for giving a statement for nearly five hours

Following Aluthgamage’s claims, two Sri Lankan legends– Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene– were also called for recording statements over the matter, which led to protests across the island nation.

After the Sri Lankan cricketers were questioned, the Youth Alliance of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), came in support of the players and staged a protest in front of Sri Lanka’s Sports Ministry.

2011 Match Fixing Inquiry : Kumar Sangakkara still at the Sports Ministry Police Unit giving a statement for nearly 5 hours. pic.twitter.com/cNMlQ1lggA

— Azzam Ameen (@AzzamAmeen) July 2, 2020

According to media reports, the protest was held against the continuous harassment of Sangakkara and other cricketers over match-fixing allegations.

Members of the Samagi Tharuna Balawegaya (@youthforsjb) are currently staging a protest outside the SLC against the harassment Cricketer Kumar Sangakkara and 2011 cricket team. #SriLanka #LKA #Matchfixing #ProtestSL via @kataclysmichaos pic.twitter.com/BfOr6tcsOK

— Sri Lanka Tweet 🇱🇰 (@SriLankaTweet) July 2, 2020

Prime Ministerial candidate of the SJB Sajith Premadasa also tweeted in support of the former Sri Lanka skipper and said that the government’s behaviours is deplorable.

Continuous harassment of @KumarSanga2 and our 2011 cricket heroes must be strongly opposed. Government behavior is deplorable.

— Sajith Premadasa (@sajithpremadasa) July 2, 2020