<p class="bodytext">Sri Lanka has ordered a criminal probe into allegations the 2011 cricket World Cup final was "sold" to India, officials said Monday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"A criminal investigation has begun," K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, the secretary to the sports ministry, told AFP.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It is handled by the (police) independent Special Investigation Unit on sports-related offences."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Former sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage claimed earlier this month that Sri Lanka sold the match to ensure an Indian victory.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I feel I can talk about it now. I am not connecting players, but some sections were involved," Aluthgamage said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The island nation's 1996 World Cup-winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga has also cast doubt on the result and previously called for an investigation.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Local media reports said former skipper and chief selector for the 2011 finals, Aravinda de Silva, had been summoned for an interview with investigators on Tuesday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">After starting strongly, Sri Lanka lost the final at Mumbai's Wankhede stadium by six wickets.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Sri Lanka batted first and scored 274-6 off 50 overs. They appeared in a commanding position when Indian superstar Sachin Tendulkar was out for 18.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But India turned the game dramatically, thanks in part to poor fielding and bowling by Sri Lanka, who were led by Kumar Sangakkara.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Sangakkara had said Aluthgamage should share his allegations with the global governing body the International Cricket Council.</p>.<p class="bodytext">International cricket in Sri Lanka has previously been linked to corruption allegations, including claims of match-fixing ahead of a 2018 Test against England.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Earlier this month, the Sri Lankan cricket board said the ICC was investigating three unnamed ex-players over corruption claims.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Match-fixing was made a criminal offence in November. Offenders face fines of up to 100 million rupees ($555,000) and up to 10 years' jail.</p>
<p class="bodytext">Sri Lanka has ordered a criminal probe into allegations the 2011 cricket World Cup final was "sold" to India, officials said Monday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"A criminal investigation has begun," K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, the secretary to the sports ministry, told AFP.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"It is handled by the (police) independent Special Investigation Unit on sports-related offences."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Former sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage claimed earlier this month that Sri Lanka sold the match to ensure an Indian victory.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I feel I can talk about it now. I am not connecting players, but some sections were involved," Aluthgamage said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The island nation's 1996 World Cup-winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga has also cast doubt on the result and previously called for an investigation.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Local media reports said former skipper and chief selector for the 2011 finals, Aravinda de Silva, had been summoned for an interview with investigators on Tuesday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">After starting strongly, Sri Lanka lost the final at Mumbai's Wankhede stadium by six wickets.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Sri Lanka batted first and scored 274-6 off 50 overs. They appeared in a commanding position when Indian superstar Sachin Tendulkar was out for 18.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But India turned the game dramatically, thanks in part to poor fielding and bowling by Sri Lanka, who were led by Kumar Sangakkara.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Sangakkara had said Aluthgamage should share his allegations with the global governing body the International Cricket Council.</p>.<p class="bodytext">International cricket in Sri Lanka has previously been linked to corruption allegations, including claims of match-fixing ahead of a 2018 Test against England.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Earlier this month, the Sri Lankan cricket board said the ICC was investigating three unnamed ex-players over corruption claims.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Match-fixing was made a criminal offence in November. Offenders face fines of up to 100 million rupees ($555,000) and up to 10 years' jail.</p>