SJB youth movement stages protest in support of cricketers

The youth wing of the Samagi Jana Baawegaya, Samagi Tharuna Balawegaya, staged a protest opposite Sri Lanka Cricket against what they termed the continuous harassment of Sri Lankan cricketers.

They said the government was on a witch hunt against cricketers as they foiled the government's plan to construct a cricket stadium in Homagama.

The protest coincided with Sangakkara's appearance before the Special Investigations Unit of the Ministry of Sports to make a statement relating to allegations of match-fixing at the 2011 World Cup Final. Sangakkara captained the Sri Lankan cricket team in the ICC World Cup2011.

Sri Lankan opener Upul Tharanga appeared before the SIU today give a statement over the match-fixing claims.

Tharanga is still playing international cricketer and a prominent figure in Sri Lanka's domestic tournaments.

Former cricketer and ex-Chairman of the Cricket Selections Committee Aravinda De Silva gave a five-hour statement to the Special Investigations Unit over match-fixing claims surrounding the ICC World Cup final 2011.

The investigation came in the wake of the remark made by former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage that the ICC World Cup final in 2011 was "fixed."