SLC suspends Samaranayake for two months

Sri Lanka Cricket has suspended Anusha Samaranayake, a fast bowling coach with their National Coaching Department, for two months and barred "main suspect" Gayan Wishwajith totally from participating in any capacity in Sri Lankan cricket in the future.

Wishvanath is being investigated by the SLC for allegedly approaching several national players for match-fixing and is understood to be linked with Samaranayake, who was suspended after a preliminary inquiry conducted by the board.

SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala has ordered a report on the incident and Samaranayake's role in it. "Sri Lanka Cricket has received several complaints regarding close acquaintance of Mr. Anusha Samaranayake with the main suspect Gayan Wishvanath who had approached several national players for the alleged illegal activities of match fixing," an SLC release said.

Samaranayake is a long time fast bowling coach and played a role in the emergence of several Sri Lankan bowlers, including Lasith Malinga.

Earlier this month, Sri Lanka's sports ministry had reported an alleged fixing approach made to Kusal Perera and another national player, to the country's Financial Crimes Investigation Department. The two players had been approached by a net bowler during West Indies' tour of Sri Lanka last October.