• Coach challenges ACO to prove charges against him 

Sri Lanka head coach Sanath Jayasuriya sternly dismissed the recent allegations directed at him by the Anti-Corruption Organisation (ACO), insisting that his slate is clean and that he has never been implicated in any corrupt activities, either in cricket or any other sphere.

Speaking to The Daily Morning Sports, the ex-national skipper who is currently on his maiden foray into international coaching, challenged those in the ACO, to prove if he has ever been engaged in any acts of corruption in sport or otherwise.

‘’I was imposed with a sanction around 2018 by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU),’’ he said. ‘’The reasons for it are well-known and it was for me not co-operating with the ACU officials at the time, and that incident is now water under the bridge. But, these two people from the so-called ACO, are levelling spurious charges against me, saying that my appointment as national coach is illegal. I challenge them to prove, as to how it has become unlawful?” Jayasuriya pointed out. 

The ACO represented by its President Lionel Nawaragodagedara and its Convener Samantha Hewabandula, alleged that in view of the former explosive opener being imposed with a two-year suspension from all cricket by the ICC’s ACU, was ineligible to function as the national team’s head coach.

They levelled this allegation during a media briefing held at the Public Library Auditorium in Colombo on Thursday (24).

The duo further charged that besides the sanction imposed on the southpaw seven years ago by the ICC, he also does not possess requisite qualifications, to be appointed to his current post in the first place.

Hence, they found fault with Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, for having either knowingly or unknowingly, overlooked the slogan of anti-corruption, which had been the platform under which the NPP Government had been swept to power at national elections in 2024.

Asked whether he was concerned with the allegations directed at him by the two officials from the Anti-Corruption Organisation (ACO), Jayasuriya replied saying that he has no time for ‘disgruntled people’, who revel in throwing mud at their opponents.

He added that if as the ACO has alleged that his appointment was illegal, then it is their responsibility to substantiate their charges against him at the proper forum, and not go before a smattering of media personnel and seek cheap publicity.

The former master-blaster also could not fathom as to why the ACO had waited all these years, to go before the media over their concerns on him, and argued that alone suggests that there is more to it than meets the eye.

Jayasuriya whose current contract with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), is due to expire at the end of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be co-hosted between India and Sri Lanka, however could not be drawn on as to whether any outside force opposed to him functioning as national coach, had orchestrated the allegations directed at him under the cover of the ACO.

The 1996 World Cup winner at the time of the incident, had insisted to the ICCs Anti-Corruption Unit that he had not engaged in any corrupt activity, but had nevertheless opted to accept the two-year ban imposed by the global body, due to his love for the game.

The ICCs ACU had charged Jayasuriya back in 2018, over his perceived failure to cooperate with its officials, after he had refused to hand over his communication devices when he was asked for them.

Under the ICC anti-corruption code, the Anti-Corruption Unit can seek bank details, phone records and assets, including the prompt handover of communication devices from players, match officials and administrators, with such persons being in line to be charged over their refusal to comply.