BCCSL appoints inquiry committee

He has been asked to investigate whether any prima facie evidence existed for any irregularities committed by the two during the last 10 years, Sumathipala said.

Both the players have strongly denied the charges. While Ranatunga said he had never been approached by a bookie, De Silva said he had immediately informed the management when he was once asked by a bookie to underplay in a match.

Sumathipala said the Board has decided to appoint a civil inquiry in order to gather more evidence to the charges levelled by CBI.

“CBI is a well respected organisation of the Government of India. We want to make sure that two of our well respected cricketers were really involved in the match-fixing. It is painful. We can not believe it,” he said.

Fernando’s report would be submitted to Sports Minister Lakshman Kiriall for action, he said.

Sumathipala, however, said the inquiry would not have any bearing on De Silva’s selection for Sri Lanka’s upcoming tour of South Africa.

He said Ranatunga has already retired but De Silva continued to play.

“We do not want to penalise a player even before the charges against are proved,” he said.

He said the Board has decided to appoint an inquiry after it received official confirmation about the CBI report from the Indian Cricket Board.

“The CBI’s official report is on its way. But we have been officially told by the Indian Cricket Board that allegations of match-fixing have been made against Ranatunga and Aravinda,” he said.