Leonard de Alwis is one among the many around the world who haven't doubted the integrity of former Sri Lankan cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara. despite Sangakkara having to appear before match-fixing allegations in relation to the 2011 World Cup final played in Mumbai between India and Sri Lanka.
Alwis was Sangakkara's principal at Trinity School and College in Kandy.
Speaking over telephone he said, "I have great admiration for him (Sangakkara) and I continue to respect him as a real gentleman and a true citizen of Sri Lanka".
"He was a great cricketer during his time and is an ambassador of the game".
"I am surprised that such an investigation was taking place after nearly ten years".
In fact, it was Alwis who had advised Sanga's mother to encourage Sanga to pursue cricket.
"The boy was talented in both cricket and tennis at the school level and his mother was confused. But I advised her to encourage him to pursue cricket," said De Alwis.
"I saw his cricketing talent during under-13 and u-15 tournaments and was highly impressed. He was bubbling with talent. He had climbed up the ladder from the scratch".
"Sangakkara now lives in Colombo, but his parents, Kumari and Chokshanada still live in Kandy and meet us often. They always express their gratitude," said De Alwis, who follows his cricketing progress closely.
Sanga's father is a lawyer (not practicing now). Sanga too wanted to be in the same profession but luckily he played cricket
In the meantime, the former sports minister has again offered to provide more evidence to the ICC.
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