Sanath Jayasuriya has insisted that he has "always conducted myself with integrity and transparency" after he was with corruption charges by the ICC.
Jayasuriya was charged over two alleged breaches of the ICC's anti-corruption code, relating to a failure to co-operate with and obstruction of an investigation.
The former Sri Lanka captain and ex-member of parliament released a statement today (16), responding to the news.
In it, without denying the charges, he stressed that the ICC's allegations do not relate to "match-fixing or pitch-fixing".
Media reports have claimed that Jayasuriya is being hauled up by the international governing body after failing to present a phone to the Anti-Corruption Unit in a timely manner.
The 49-year-old's statement read: "Unfortunately, I am not in a position any comments at the moment as I am initially required to submit my response within 14 days.
Sri Lanka legend Sanath Jayasuriya faces corruption charges
"I am under strict legal advice that no comment in respect of the charges as such a course would offend the ICC rules.
"My legal team is in the process of drafting my response and I would make a further release upon the submission of said response.
"However, I am under advice to state that the charges do not contain any allegations pertaining to match-fixing, pitching fixing or any other similar corrupt activity.
"The charges allege that I have not been cooperative and not assissted their investigations. I have always conducted myself with integrity and transparency with matters concerning the sport and will continue to do so."
Jayasuriya has 14 days to respond to the two ICC charges
Jayasuriya played 445 one-day internationals and 110 Test matches for Sri Lanka over a long and illustrious career, winning the World Cup in 1996.
He was elected to represent his home district of Matara in the 2010 general election, going on to serve as deputy minister of postal services and then deputy minister of local government and rural development.
Following his retirement in 2011, he went on to chair the national selection panel, a position to which he was appointed in 2013. He resigned from his second stint in the role in 2017.
(The Cricketer)
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