Former Sri Lankan cricketer Sachithra Senanayake has been indicted before the Hambantota High Court over allegations of match-fixing during the 2020 Lanka Premier League (LPL), becoming the first cricketer charged under Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption sports law.
Senanayake, who is currently out on bail, was accused of attempting to approach Colombo Kings player Tharindu Ratnayake during the inaugural edition of the LPL with the intention of influencing him to underperform.
The investigation, initiated in 2020 following a complaint to the local anti-corruption officer, uncovered that Senanayake had allegedly contacted the player via WhatsApp.
If found guilty, he faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to Rs. 100 million, or both.
The indictment was filed under the Prevention of Offences Related to Sports Act No. 24 of 2019, introduced by then Sports Minister Harin Fernando. Sri Lanka became the first country in South Asia to criminalise several offences related to match-fixing through this legislation.
Senanayake was a member of Sri Lanka’s 2014 T20 World Cup-winning team. (Newswire)