The cricket world was shocked to its core today (May 27) by An Al Jazeera investigation which brought to light allegations of pitch fixing involving two Sri Lankan’s. The sting carried out by Al Jazeera’s Investigations Unit, brought to light alleged pitch-fixing, where curators prepared pitches to favour betters.

According to the investigation, the bets in question were made on the second test of Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2016 and India’s tour of Sri Lanka last year, both tests were played at the iconic Galle International Cricket Stadium.

The investigation clearly shows Robin Morris, a former professional cricketer, engaging the services of Tharanga Indika, Assistant Manager of the Galle International Stadium and First Class cricketer Tharindu Mendis, to prepare pitches as required.

Today (May 27), Al Jazeera also released a video which allegedly shows two former Sri Lanka cricketers Jeewantha Kulatunge and Dilhara Lokuhettige, in a meeting on match-fixing. Al Jazeera also released a video online today showing Robin Morris and former Pakistan cricketer Hassan Raza involved in match-fixing.

Issuing a statement yesterday, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said it will extend its fullest cooperation to the International Cricket Council to investigate the latest allegations levelled via media reports, over “match-fixing”. SLC noted that Ashley De Silva, CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket is in contact with the CEO of the International Cricket Council David Richardson and the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit on the matter.

According to the former national cricketer, Pramodya Wickramasinghe, this is what they have been highlighting continuously and several names have also been mentioned. He added that there is a match-fixing network involved in this. He stated that if match-fixing has taken place, they must uncover the root of this network and according to him the involvement of His Excellency the President is necessary.

Meanwhile, in a letter addressed to the Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket today, Sports Minister Faiszer Mustapha said he was ‘saddened and dismayed’ to witness the report on alleged pitch fixing.

The Minister asks the Secretary of SLC to promptly take steps to lodge complaints against the persons who have been allegedly involved in ‘pitch fixing’ in order to initiate criminal prosecutions against them.

Mustapha also called on SLC to initiate an independent investigation to determine the veracity of the allegations and to impose strict punishments on any employee or agent of Sri Lanka Cricket found to have been involved in the alleged incident.

• Sri Lankan wins Asian Games athletics medal after 17 years
• Watch FACE THE NATION. Every Wednesday @ 9.30 pm on TV-1. Dialog TV Ch10. PEO TV Ch12
• Shi Yan 6: Ruhuna University steps away from joint research program
• Watch The People’s Platform. Every Tuesday and Friday @ 9.30 pm on TV-1. Dialog TV Ch10. PEO TV Ch12
• NEWSLINE. Asking questions you want answered. Every weekday 8.30 pm on TV-1, Dialog TV 10, PEO TV 12