Match-fixing allegations: Indictment filed against Sachithra Senanayake

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda and Bhagya Silva

Colombo, June 5 (Daily Mirror) - The Attorney General has filed an indictment before the Hambantota High Court against former Sri Lankan cricketer Sachindra Madushanka Senanayake over allegations of attempting to induce national cricketer Tharindu Hasanka Ratnayake into match-fixing during a cricket tournament held in Sri Lanka in 2020.

The charges arise from an incident during a series of matches held in Hambantota in November 2020, where Senanayake allegedly attempted to influence or manipulate the outcome, conduct, or other aspects of the games. He is accused of making an offer to Tharindu Ratnayake, who had been selected to play for the Colombo Kings team, with the intention of preventing him from reporting the proposal to the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Unit.

The allegations include soliciting, inducing, or instructing the player in a manner that violates Section 5(a) of the Prevention of Offenses Relating to Sports Act No. 24 of 2019.

This case marks the first indictment filed in a High Court under this Act against a Sri Lankan cricketer.

Senanayake is also alleged to have contacted two other cricketers participating in the inaugural Lanka Premier League (LPL) tournament in 2020 via telephone from Dubai, attempting to persuade them to engage in match-fixing. He had previously been released on bail in connection with those allegations.

The Attorney General decided to proceed with the indictment after evaluating voice recordings, audio samples, and investigation reports submitted as evidence.