Colombo District Court today directed parties to file written submissions on May 13 in a case seeking an order to obtain blood samples from cricketer Chamika Karunaratne for a DNA test.
The case was filed by pilot Sewwandi Senadheera, who is seeking a declaration that Karunaratne is the father of her child and an order for the Registrar General to issue a birth certificate naming him as the father.
Appearing for Karunaratne, President’s Counsel Jagath Wickramanayake told court that his client’s consent was essential before any blood sample could be obtained for a DNA test. He argued that the court had no power to compel such a test without the individual’s consent and requested that the plea for a DNA order be rejected.
Appearing for Senadheera, President’s Counsel Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe told court that at a previous hearing, the respondent’s side had indicated there was no objection to the appointment of a commission for such a DNA test. He further said that Karunaratne had stated in a statement given to the Women and Children’s Bureau that he was agreeable to undergoing a DNA test.
Rajapakshe argued that since the respondent’s willingness had already been expressed, the court should identify the laboratory and issue the necessary orders for the test to be carried out.
Responding to those submissions, Wickramanayake said Karunaratne had never, at any stage, expressed consent for a DNA test.
After considering the submissions, the Colombo District Court ordered both parties to file written submissions on May 13.
The petition names Karunaratne, the child said to have been fathered by him, Aryan Karunaratne, and the Registrar General among the respondents.
In her petition, Senadheera states that her minor child, Aryan Karunaratne, was born on September 29, 2025, and alleges that the child was fathered by Karunaratne. She further claims that Karunaratne had maintained a close relationship with her around 2023, later avoided her after she became pregnant, and refused to accept paternity.
She is seeking a court declaration that Karunaratne is the child’s father, an order directing the Registrar General to issue a birth certificate accordingly, and an order for both the child and Karunaratne to undergo DNA testing. (Newswire)
