In a press release, SLC denied the allegations of match-fixing by Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera in Saturday's loss to Pakistan by 11 runs in the World Cup match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
The ITN in a Sinhala language programme 'Wimasuma' (Research) questioned the performance of the two players who were dismissed cheaply by the Pakistan bowlers. The host of the program has implied that the players have thrown away their wickets 'deliberately' to "change the game".
Jayawardena who scored a century in the opener against Canada was dismissed for 2 while Samaraweera only scored one for the Sri Lanka total of 266/9 in reply to Pakistan's 277.
"It is with deep regret that we note that a leading television channel in a special programme, namely 'Wimasuma', has stated that Sri Lanka has lost against Pakistan due to two of our leading players not getting runs in that game," SLC said in the press release.
"Further they added that the two players had failed intentionally, thereby implying that our players might have been involved in match-fixing," SLC added.
The SLC questioned the motives of the host who has also said in the programme that a local businessman has bet for $18,000 that Sri Lanka would lose.
"SLC strongly condemns the bona fides of this anchor, who hosted the programme carrying a story that is baseless and thereby demoralising our players during the ongoing World Cup," the SLC said.
"SLC will take up the matter with the relevant authorities of this channel, based on the fact that this channel has brought great distress to two of our cricketers who have served the country with honour and dignity," the cricket authority added.
According to media reports both players have been advised to take legal action against the broadcaster for what the authorities call a malicious comment. Legal action is expected to be taken within the next 48 hours, the Island Cricket said.
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