Former Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawaerdena arrived at the Sports Ministry Special Investigations Unit although the sports authorities earlier said a statement would not be recorded from him.

Jayawardena said he appeared before the SIU as the decision was not formally to conveyed to him by any party.

Jayawardena was initially summoned this morning to record a statement on 2011 World Cup final match fixing allegations.

The former captain was asked to appear before the Special Investigations Unit of the Ministry of Sports this morning. The decision, however, has been reversed at the last moment amidst growing protests.

The youth wing of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Samagi Tharuna Balawegaya, staged a protest opposite Sri Lanka Cricket against what they termed the continuous harassment of Sri Lankan cricketers.

They said the government was on a witch hunt against cricketers as they foiled the government's plan to construct a cricket stadium in Homagama.

The protest coincided with Sangakkara's appearance before the Special Investigations Unit of the Ministry of Sports to make a statement relating to allegations of match-fixing at the 2011 World Cup Final. Sangakkara captained the Sri Lankan cricket team in the ICC World Cup2011.

The investigation came in the wake of former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage's allegation that the final match of the 2011 World Cup was fixed and "sold to India."