Atapattu investigation 'not finalised'

The International Cricket Council has dismissed reports from Sri Lanka that the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit has finalised its recent investigations into the cash-in-the-bedroom incident.

During England's recent tour of Sri Lanka, 1.1 million rupees were discovered in a room that had been occupied by Sri Lankan batsmen Marvan Atapattu. Malcolm Speed, chief executive of the ICC, said that he has written to Sri Lanka Cricket to establish if it had issued any media statement suggesting that the matter had been concluded.

"If, as has been reported, Sri Lanka Cricket issued a statement suggesting that this matter has been finalised, I would be concerned," said Mr Speed. "Not only is it inaccurate to make this suggestion, it is also inappropriate for a Board to usurp the role of the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit which is an independent body that makes its own judgment about these issues and reports to the ICC.

"This is not an area that is within the jurisdiction of an individual Board. If any Board made inappropriate or inaccurate comments about the work of the ACSU I would take the matter up directly with the Board involved. As far as the inquiry is concerned, Marvan is a widely respected and senior player and it is important that this matter is thoroughly investigated to establish the full factual situation of what has taken place.

"What can be said with certainty at this stage is that the investigation is on-going and that the ACSU is continuing with its inquiries in order to establish these facts. I hope this matter will be resolved quickly."