Former Sri Lanka opener Sanath Jayasuriya has been bannedfrom all cricket-related activities by the ICC for two years. Jayasuriya hadearlier refused to cooperate with the Anti Corruption Unit last year by denyingto hand over his phone. Immediately, he was charged with two offences underArticle 2.4.6 and 2.4.7 of the anti-corruption code.
Article 2.4.6 – Failure or refusal, without compellingjustification, to cooperate with any investigation carried out by the ACU,including failure to provide accurately and completely any information and/ordocumentation requested by the ACU as part of such investigation.
Article 2.4.7 – Obstructing or delaying any investigationthat may be carried out by the ACU, including concealing, tampering with ordestroying any documentation or other information that may be relevant to thatinvestigation and/or that may be evidence or may lead to the discovery ofevidence of corrupt conduct under the Anti-Corruption Code.
Jayasuriya is understood to have been the chairman of theselectors during the investigation period. After being charged, Jayasuriyareleased a statement saying the charges didn’t have anything to do withmatch-fixing, pitch-fixing or any corrupt activity. However, the 49-year-oldhas now admitted to have made a breach, following which he accepted the quantumof the punishment.
“This conviction under the Code demonstrates theimportance of participants in cricket cooperating with investigations,”ICC General Manager Alex Marshall said. “Compelling participants tocooperate under the Code is a vital weapon in our efforts to rid our sport ofcorruptors. These rules are essential to maintain the integrity of oursport.”
The ICC has been taking steps to eradicate corruption in SriLanka and had also recently announced amnesty to participants who didn’t reportany information related to corrupt conduct in the island nation. The move didwork according to the cricketing body, with 11 players and a few moreparticipants handing them new information.
“The amnesty has worked very well and has deliveredsignificant new and important intelligence,” Marshall pointed out.”This new information has assisted a number of our ongoing investigationsand has resulted in some new investigations getting underway.
“I am very grateful to those who participated in theamnesty and as a result of the information shared we now have a much clearerpicture of the situation in Sri Lanka and our investigations arecontinuing.”