Sanath Jayasundara, a former analyst of Sri Lanka’s national cricket team, Yesterday (July 11) surprisingly appeared on a election stage of Podu Jana Peramuna Party’s leader Susil Premajayanth, who is contesting the upcoming general election from the Colombo district. Former Sri Lanka mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis was also present on the stage, along with his wife.
A long-time employee of SLC, Jaysundara, was charged by the ICC in May 2019 for offering a bribe to then Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Harin Fernando, in order to “influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of an international match”.
Fernando had revealed that he was offered a bribe to include many a player in the nation’s World Cup squad and had immediately filed a complaint to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit. Later, it revealed that Jayasundara has been accused of offering the same bribe on behalf of a spin-bowling all-rounder, in a bid to find him a place in the World Cup 2019 squad.
In addition, a charge relating to “obstructing or delaying an Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) investigation” was also been laid.
Jayasundara was employed by Sri Lanka Cricket about 15 years back as the team’s video analyst before he was given a responsibility in SLC Brain Center at R. Premadasa Stadium.
Interestingly, few days ago, Jayasundara had posted a post on Facebook, claiming that soon he would reveal the truth about 2011 World Cup final. It is noteworthy that last month the 2011 World Cup final controversy shocked entire cricket fraternity, after then Sri Lanka Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage claimed that his country sold the match to India!
According to sources, Jayasundara is believed to be played a role in Mahindanansa’s baseless allegations, which were later denied by the International Cricket Council (ICC) itself.
According to sources, Jayadundara is trying to get political support to somehow influence the ICC charges.
The charges against Jayasundara were as follows:
Article 2.1.3 – offering a bribe or other Reward to the Sri Lankan Sports Minister to contrive in any way or otherwise influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of an International Match. OR (in the alternative)
Article 2..1.1 – contriving in any way or otherwise influencing improperly the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of an International Match. AND
2. Article 2.4.7 – obstructing or delaying an ACU investigation into possible corrupt conduct under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.
