Former Sri Lanka cricketer Sachithra Senanayake has been officially indicted by the Attorney General at the Hambantota High Court over allegations of match-fixing during the 2020 Lanka Premier League (LPL).
According to a spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Department, this marks the first time in Sri Lankan history that a national-level cricketer has been charged in court under the Prevention of Offenses Relating to Sports Act. It may also be the first such criminal case involving a national player in all of South Asia.
Senanayake is accused of attempting to incite fellow cricketer Tharindu Ratnayake to stay silent about a match-fixing approach during the LPL tournament. The charges relate to events that occurred between 21st and 22nd of November , 2020, in Mauritius and Hambantota.
He allegedly instructed Ratnayake not to report a proposal made by a third party—reportedly known as “Saidi”—to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit. The said individual had contacted Ratnayake and implied he would be selected for matches if he cooperated, saying, “You will get games, and you have to give something for them too.”
Senanayake has been charged under Section 5(d) of the Sports Corruption Amendment Act No. 24 of 2019, for soliciting, instigating, and attempting to conceal corrupt practices.
He was earlier arrested by the Sports Ministry’s Anti-Corruption Unit on the advice of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit and was initially remanded before being released on bail.
The indictment was filed under the supervision of Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena after examining forensic and supporting evidence.
