Kusal Perera, Rangana Herath were asked to underperform during Sri Lanka vs West Indies 2015, 1st Test: Reports

Kusal Perera was approached to score 18 or less in the recently concluded series against West Indies for a good sum of money (several million rupees). However, the Sri Lankan opener turned down the offer and under immense pressure ensured he did not get dismissed at 18.The opening batsman was sent down the order at No.7 during the first Test against West Indies and was eventually out for 23 runs after batting for 65 minutes and facing 31 balls. Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews was summoned to Financial Crimes Division (FCID) on Thursday after Perera informed the relevant authority about the match-fixing incident. READ: Sri Lanka begin probe over possible match-fixing during Test series against West Indies

Perera and Rangana Herath were grilled by FCID for about six hours on January 12 regarding their own complaints about being asked to underperform during the West Indies series. This is the second huge match-fixing revelation after Cricket South Africa charged former cricketer Gulam Bodi for match-fixing. Bodi was charged under its anti-corruption code with “contriving to fix, or otherwise improperly influence aspects” of the 2014/15 domestic Twenty20 competition.

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According to www.sundaytimes.lk, Sri Lanka Cricket’s new Secretary Mohan de Silva said,” It is natural that Mathews as the captain of the Sri Lanka national team would have to explain his side of the story. We would do everything to ensure the safety and integrity of the national cricketers, but, if a cricketer is involved in any misdeeds we will also ensure that he is given the harshest possible punishment.”
He added, “When we got wind of this issue, we began to work with the local anti-corruption unit of the International Cricket Council and this is the normal course of action. But, somehow the story also attracted the attention of the Sports Minister and he in turn handed the matter to the Police. “

Perera already faces a four year suspension due to the drug issue. “By the time we took office, Kusal Perera’s case [having taken a ICC banned performance enhancing substance] had gone to a stage where he had been suspended from taking part in any representative cricket activity. He is facing a four-year ICC ban, if his case is proved. I can only take this matter up with the ICC if Kusal Perera could make an appeal to me, which I am happy to take up,” de Silva said.

He added, “I met Kusal, and I learn that he has already retained some lawyers. So we, as a member of the ICC cannot intervene unless the player concerned makes an official appeal. If he makes an appeal I am confident that I can bring him back into the game much earlier than four years.”