• Becomes first player to be charged before a HC under the anti-corruption sports law 

Attorney General (AG) Parinda Ranasinghe Jnr. yesterday (5) indicted ex-Sri Lanka off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake, 40, before the Hambantota High Court.

This was over allegations of match-fixing during the inaugural Lanka Premier League (LPL) in 2020, as he became the first cricketer to be charged before a High Court, under the country’s anti-corruption sports law.

The AG has reportedly resorted to his actions, having analysed and reviewed voice recordings, audio samples and investigation reports submitted as evidence and other materials related to the incident.

According to AGs Department sources, this could also be the first instance in South Asia, where a national-level cricketer has been charged under criminal law for match-fixing.

Senanayake, who is currently enlarged on bail, was accused of attempting to approach Colombo Kings player Tharindu Rathnayaka during the maiden edition of the controversy-laden LPL, with the aim of influencing him to underperform.

The investigation launched five years ago, stemming from a complaint lodged with the local anti-corruption officer, had revealed that the former slow bowler had allegedly contacted the player via WhatsApp.

If convicted Senanayake could presumably face up to a decade in jail, a fine of up to Rs. 100 million or both.

The indictment has been filed under the Prevention of Offences Related to Sports Act No. 24 of 2019, introduced by ex-Sports Minister Harin Fernando and the allegations include soliciting, inducing, or instructing the player, in a manner that contravenes Section 5(a) of the said Act. 

The indictment filed under the guidance of Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sumathi Dharmawardena, states that Senanayake had contacted Rathnayaka between 21 and 22 November 2020.

Senanayake had then advised Rathnayaka not to inform the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit, about a proposal made by another party to fix matches for the Colombo Kings, during the said tournament, the indictment further stated. 

He was recently apprehended by the Sports Ministry’s Anti-Corruption Unit, following advice from the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit and after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court and subsequently being remanded, he was granted bail.

Senanayake who once had to remodel his action, while possessing one of the better carom balls in Sri Lanka, mostly featured in white-ball cricket for his country during a four-year span from 2012 to 2016, while playing a solitary Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi 12 years ago. 

Sri Lanka became the first nation in South Asia to criminalise several offences linked to match-fixing through the aforesaid legislation. 

(JK)