The police investigation into match-fixing is not against the players, but to clear their names, he has told BBC Sandeshaya.
Kusal Janith Perera and Rangana Herath had allegedly been offered Rs. 10 million to lose a match in Galle against West Indies last year.
The two had refused to oblige and informed sports authorities.
The net bowler, Gayan Vishwajith, introduced by Samaranayake, is the person who had made the proposition.
The then sports officials and the coach are responsible for getting a person like him involved with the players, said the minister.
