Mahela Jayawardene questioned in India vs Sri Lanka 2011 World Cup final match-fixing probe

With all the allegations of match-fixing in the World Cup 2011 final have gathered steam, former Sri Lanka cricketer Mahela Jayawardene got summoned to appear before a special investigation unit in Sri Lanka.

Pictures started surfacing all over the internet of Jayawardene arriving at the Special Investigations Unit of the Sports Ministry on Friday (July 3) at Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo to record his statement.

The 43-year-old was a key member of Sri Lanka's 2011 World Cup squad, which lost the final of the tournament to India.

The Sri Lankan Ministry of Sports launched an investigation soon after their former Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage alleged that the final of the prestegious was rigged.

Another day in the paradise. Over the last three days three former captains have been hauled up before police to give statements about match fixing in the 2011 World Cup final. Today it was MJ’s turn. pic.twitter.com/bnrumoqOjS

— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) July 3, 2020

Earlier, former Sri Lanka Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has made a groundbreaking claim that the final World Cup 2011, which Team India beat the Lankans to win in the final, was rigged.  

During the 2011 WC, Aluthgamage was Sri Lanka's Minister of Sports and took full responsibility for his statement.  

The loss meant Sri Lanka's wait for a world title continued as the 1996 world champions failed in the final hurdle again.  

In the final, India successfully chased down the 275-run target with skipper MS Dhoni winning it form the Men In Blue with an iconic six to finish it off.  

"The 2011 final was fixed. I stand by what I say. It took place when I was the Minister of Sports," Mahindananda Aluthgamage told Sri Lankan news outlet News 1st.

"I state with full responsibility. However, I do not wish to expose details for the sake of the country. The game against India in 2011, a game which we could have won, was fixed."  

"I state it with responsibility and I can come forward for a debate. The people are concerned about it. I would not involve the cricketers in this. However, certain groups were definitely involved in fixing the game," he added.