SIU decides not to summon Mahela today amidst growing protests

Sri Lankan sports authorities have suddenly decided not to summon former skipper Mahela Jayawardena to record a statement on 2011 World Cup final match fixing allegations.

Jayawardena was asked to appear before the Special Investigations Unit of the Ministry of Sports this morning. The decision, however, has been reversed at the last moment amidst growing protests.

The youth wing of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, 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.

The investigation came in the wake of former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage's allegation that the final match of the 2011 World Cup was fixed and "sold to India."