A sudden change in the Galle Stadium pitch

Recently Sports 1st reported on alleged pitch fixing at the Galle International Cricket Stadium which  followed an Al Jazeera exposé on the dubious relationship between unscrupulous sports gamblers and so-called pitch fixers.

Allegations were raised against the Assitant Manager of the Galle stadium Tharanga Indika and First class cricketer Tharindu Mendis.

A notable feature of this affair is the fact that 15 persons were appointed to positions at the Galle stadium through a letter signed by the CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket, with their appointments taking effect from the time of the Sri Lanka-Australia test played at Galle, which was the subject of the Al Jazeera investigation. These appointments were made disregarding the requests of the Secretary of the Galle Cricket Club at the time, Premasiri Halabage.

Tharanga Indika who was appointed as the Assistant Manager of the stadium had served as a Gym Assistant at the stadium for 15 years. On the 30th of last month, it was reported that the pitch at the Galle International Stadium was undergoing certain changes.

A question arises as to who wanted the pitch to be changed at this juncture when the International Cricket Council is conducting an investigation into alleged pitch fixing. The timing of the decision to change the pitch raises suspicions as to whether this is being done to cover up evidence of alleged pitch fixing.