The Sports Ministry’s corruption prevention unit has initiated an investigation into an alleged attempt to fix matches at the recently concluded Lanka Premier League (LPL).
The head of the unit Jagath Fonseka said a leading national batter has lodged a complaint with them after he was approached for corruption.
“He told us that he had been approached by a rich gem businessman’s son and a friend of the same man to do so,” Fonseka told a TV program.
He further said that the young cricketer had been approached to get dismissed through a hit wicket, adding that the other party had offered a large sum of money for this purpose.
Fonseka said the Sports Ministry’s corruption prevention unit has concluded its investigation and has forwarded the papers to the Attorney General.
The Prevention of Offenses Relating to the Sports Act, made a law in 2019, provided for the prevention of match fixing, corruption, illegal manipulation and illegal betting in sports and for the appointment of a Special Investigations Unit for investigation of offenses.
The second edition of the Twenty20 league took place in December and the tournament was competed by five teams. Many foreign players competed. (NewsWire)