The International Cricket Council has taken the unprecedented step of announcing a 15-day amnesty to anyone who has not previously come forward about corruption in Sri Lanka.
Under the initiative which will run from January 16-31, any domestic or international participant who divulges full details of any approach, incident or information relating to malpractice on the island will not face a charge.
Failure to do so normally would incur a ban from cricket of up to five years.
But Alex Marshall, general manager of the ICC’s anti-corruption unit, highlighted the “very specific challenges we face in Sri Lanka” as a reason for presenting the measure.
Those who wish to come forward can do so via phone, email or via the ICC Integrity App, while there will also be an ACU representative based in Sri Lanka throughout the duration of the amnesty.
Marshall said in quotes on the ICC’s official website: “This is the first time the ICC has held an amnesty and it is in response to the very specific challenges we face in Sri Lanka.
“Allowing retrospective reporting of alleged approaches to engage in corrupt conduct will assist in our ongoing and wide-ranging investigations, as well as enabling us to continue to develop a comprehensive picture of the situation there.
“If any player or participant has any information concerning corrupt conduct they should come forward and share it with us now without fear of any repercussions.
“We would urge any participant with any information that may demonstrate corrupt conduct affecting Cricket in Sri Lanka to come forward in the strictest of confidence.”
Marshall and his team have been investigating potential corrupt practices in Sri Lanka in recent months. Former captain and chairman of selectors Sanath Jayasuriya was charged with two breaches of the ICC’s anti-corruption code last October. The 49-year-old defended his “integrity and transparency” as he denied any wrongdoing.
Provided by Press Association
