Hashan Tillakaratne requests police Protection

Tags: Sri Lanka, Hashan Prasantha Tillakaratne

Published on: May 08, 2011

Sri Lanka’s former left-handed middle order batsman, Hashan Tillakaratne has requested police protection before he discloses the names of the players which according to him have been involved in match-fixing.

Sri Lanka’s former left-handed middle order batsman, Hashan Tillakaratne has requested police protection before he discloses the names of the players which according to him have been involved in match-fixing.

Talking to media men in Sri Lanka he said, “As an eyewitness to match-fixing, I will reveal the names of those involved if my security is guaranteed."

According to his wife, the family has been receiving threats from unknown people who want Hashan not to disclose the names of the players involved in match-fixing. According to her they have also been given death threats which need to be taken seriously by the law enforcement agencies.

Hashan who is a politician now, last week revealed that Sri Lankan players have been involved in match-fixing since 1992. He claimed that he has information that will lead authorities to the players involved in this heinous crime.

The veteran who has represented Sri Lanka in 200 One Day Internationals and 83 Test matches was supposed to disclose the names of the culprits on Tuesday but later retracted from his decision after he had been advised by his lawyer not to announce the names at this point in time.

Nonetheless, Tillakaratne has said that he is willing to share his information with the International Cricket Council (ICC). On the other hand, the player has not been contacted by anyone from the world body.

"I made the statements (about match-fixing) neither to get political mileage nor to put anyone in an awkward position. I made the comments in good faith and I will share the information with the ICC. The exercise was meant to protect the game and the players we all love so much," he said regarding his claims of existence of match-fixing within Sri Lankan cricket.

Hashan’s revelations have received mixed response in Sri Lanka, former skipper Kumar Sangakkara has challenged the veteran to come up with solid evidence regarding his claims. Ace spinner Muttiah Muralitharanhas also advised Hashan to come up with the evidence as soon as possible. According to Sangakkara, the claims have damaged the image of Sri Lanka cricket.

ICC’s former president Ehsan Mani expressed shock at ICC’s delay in talking with Hashan, Mani believes that the cricket council should immediately contact former cricketer and find out what he has to offer regarding possible evidence related to match-fixing.

As of now, Hashan’s future hangs in limbo since no one knows what his next step will be.

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