Cricket: SLC suspends coach and fast bowler over match-fixing allegation

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Monday (18) suspended the services of fast bowling coach Anusha Samaranayake and an assistant coach Gayan Vishwajith, who was identified as the ‘mystery net bowler’ in connection with match-fixing allegations. 

The SLC made an official statement saying that Samaranayake will be suspended for a period of two months while Wishvajith has been totally barred from SLC activities. 

“Sri Lanka Cricket has received several complaints regarding close acquaintance of Mr. Anusha Samaranayake with the main suspect Gayan Wishvajith who had approached several national players for the alleged illegal activities of match fixing.”

“Pursuant to a preliminary inquiry conducted in this regard Sri Lanka Cricket has decided to suspend Mr. Anusha Samaranayake for a period of two months until further investigations are concluded. Gayan Wishvajith has been totally barred in participating in any capacity whatsoever in Sri Lanka Cricket in the future,” the statement issued by SLC said. 

Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath and wicketkeeper batsman Kusal Janith Perera had reported the approach by a local unidentified ‘net bowler’ to underperform during the West Indies series. 

The players then brought the approach to the notice of the International Cricket Council through SLC.

Samaranayake (53) was a long standing employee of SLC.