Colombo: The Sports Ministry of Sri Lanka today ordered an investigation into former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage’s allegation the national cricket team’s loss to India in the 2011 World Cup final was fixed by certain parties.
In a statement, the Ministry said that Sports Minister Dullas Alahapperuma has ordered the investigation and asked for a report on its progress every two weeks.
Sports Secretary KADS Ruwanchandra, based on a directive from Alahapperuma, has complained to the ministry’s investigation unit today.
In a TV interview, Aluthgamage has alleged that his country sold the game to India. He said the final was fixed. Set a target of 275, India claimed the trophy thanks to the brilliance of Gautam Gambhir (97) and then skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (91).
“Today I am telling you that we sold the 2011 world cup, I said this when I was the Sports Minister,” Aluthgamage said. His claim was however ridiculed by former captains Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene who demanded evidence from him.