New legislation to prevent sports offences

The government has evolved a piece of legislation to be enacted by parliament to prevent offences such as match-fixing, corruption, illegal manipulation and illegal betting in sports, Daily Mirror learns.

The bill titled ‘the prevention of offences relating to sports’ was already gazetted by the government and will be tabled in parliament shortly.

The bill, if enacted, seeks to strengthen national and international co-operation among sports organisations, law enforcement agencies and betting operators to exchange information relating to match-fixing, corruption, illegal manipulation and illegal betting in sports and promote best practices in sports.

It also seeks to conduct programmes in order to promote awareness of such issues relating to match-fixing.

An independent, impartial, special investigations unit will be established to carry out investigations into offences. Any person who commits an offence specified in the bill will be liable for a fine not exceeding rupees one hundred million or imprisonment for a period not exceeding ten years or both fine and imprisonment. (Kelum Bandara)