Colombo, Dec 21: Captain of the Sri Lankan one-day cricket team Marvan Atapattu today denied he was engaged in match-fixing after a large amount of cash was found in his hotel room during the ongoing series against England. The hotel has said it found 1.1 million rupees (11,450 dollars) in the room occupied by Atapattu, who also plays as an opener in the Test team.
The Sri Lankan Cricket Board was told yesterday about the discovery, which was made just after the team left the hotel following the Kandy Test a week ago.
Sri Lankan team manager Ajit Jayasekara said the governing body of the sport here had asked the police to investigate.
There was no immediate word from the police.
Atapattu denied the money belonged to him.
"I've never carried such huge amounts of money while playing. Others have occupied that room before me and after I left the hotel. That money doesn't belong to me.
"I've always been against match-fixing and have never been involved with bookies or match-fixers."
Bureau Report