The government will introduce anti-corruption laws to prevent match fixing in cricket, Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said. A committee had been appointed for the purpose.

Mr. Aluthgamage made these remarks during a debate in the House on the challenges confronting international cricket.  Referring to suspicions in various quarters that the T-20 final between Sri Lanka and the West Indies had been fixed, he said that investigations had indicated that such suspicions were groundless.

However, he said, it was reasonable for anyone to have such doubts as the Sri Lanka team had lost four world cup finals since 2007.

“We investigated this. There is no truth in it. It is reasonable that the people entertained such doubts. Sri Lanka played well up to the final and then lost it.  There is betting involving in cricket. Some people bet that the third ball of the 44th over will be a no ball. Others bet that the umpire will remove his cap or sunglasses during a particular over. Much to other peoples’ amazement, they win their bets,” he said.

He said the International Cricket Council (ICC) had identified match fixing as a menace that plagued the cricketing world, and England, India, Australia and South Africa had enacted anti-corruption laws to deal with the problem.

“Since 2000, 2o players have been banned for life from playing in ICC organised cricket matches after being found guilty of match fixing. The ICC has set up an anti-corruption and security unit. We made use of their services during the Sri Lanka Premier League tournament,” he said.

The minister said the services of world renowned psychologists would be obtained in future for the stress management of Sri Lankan cricketers.

“Ours is a team with plenty of talent. There was no reason for us to be beaten at the finals. We need to improve the psychological condition of players. They need stress management,” he said. (KB and YP)

Source: Daily mirror (Sri Lanka)