07 May 2011
Colombo, May 6, (AFP) – Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Hashan Tillakaratne on Friday demanded police protection before he shares information on alleged match-fixing with authorities.
“As an eyewitness to match-fixing, I will reveal the names of those involved if my security is guaranteed,” Tillakaratne told reporters after the Criminal Investigations Department grilled him for the second time this week.
His wife Apsari said the family feared for their lives, as they have received several death threats warning against identifying those involved.
Now an opposition politician, Tillakaratne claimed last week that Sri Lanka players had been fixing matches since 1992 and told reporters on Tuesday that he would name names to the International Cricket Council.
“I made the statements (about match-fixing) neither to get political mileage nor to put anyone in an awkward position,” he said on Tuesday.
“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.”
Tillakaratne, who played 83 Tests and 200 one-dayers during a 15-year career, said he had kept quiet for so many years as he feared for his life.
Tillakaratne’s allegations have raised a storm, with former skipper Kumar Sangakkara challenging him to prove his claims.
“It’s interesting to see what he has to say and if he has anything more than allegations,” said Sangakkara, who quit as captain after Sri Lanka’s defeat to India in the World Cup final. “It’s dangerous to throw names around.”
AFP