Thilanga Sumathipala, the discarded former president of Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC), is trying every trick to make a comeback at Maitland Place! In another attempt, Sumathipala, on Friday, came in support of few match fixing ‘suspected’ Sri Lanka players and unsuccessfully tried to defend them by saying that no one is involved in the wrongdoing!
The International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti Corruption Unit is currently in Sri Lanka with the final report on alleged match fixing charges and certain present and past players. Few close associates of Sumathipala are also suspected in the match fixing and in next few days ICC will disclose the report.
In this scenario, as a former President of SLC, Sumathipala should have voiced against match fixing. Instead, he is trying to defend match fixers by giving them clearance certificates!
“None of the players is involved in the match fixing. Also, the accountant of SLC, who has been labeled as main culprit of millions dollars attempted fraud, is also innocent” Sumathipala said during a TV interview on Friday.
The hilarious thing is that Sumathipala has himself been suspected for his involvement in his family betting business! He has long been accused of linking with the betting and gambling business. His critics have always accused him for match fixing things. Sumathipala family runs a betting industry in Sri Lanka and even ICC is also inquiring on it!
Also, the suspected SLC accountant, who reportedly attempted 11.1 million fraud, was a former employee of Sumathipala group of companies!
“He is desperate to make a comeback at SLC. So, now, he is trying to get the sympathy of players” a former SLC President told Cricket Age.
Sumathipala led administration had to leave the SLC after former secretary Nishantha Ranatunga dragged him into Court over unethical appointment of election committee for board election.
