Senanayake cleared for overseas League duty despite corruption indictment
Former Sri Lanka cricketer Sachithra Senanayake, who was indicted under the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports Act on match-fixing charges, has been permitted by Hambantota High Court Judge Duminda Mudunkotuwa to travel overseas. Judge Mudunkotuwa provisionally lifted Senanayake’s travel ban, allowing him to participate in a foreign league until November 27, 2025 — the date set for the next hearing of the ongoing case.
Senanayake, a former Sri Lanka allrounder, is accused of soliciting match-fixing during Lanka Premier League (LPL) matches played on November 21 and 22, 2020, in Sooriyawewa. The High Court ordered him to appear on November 27, but granted him permission to travel overseas after he provided fingerprints and two personal bail bonds of Rs. one million each. This followed an appeal made by his legal counsel, Attorney-at-Law Ajith Pathirana.
Sachithra Senanayake, when he was remanded during the initial stage of the hearing - File pic by Akila Jayawardena
Representing the Attorney General’s Department, Government Solicitor Mrs. Akheela Dalpadadu, appearing with State Counsel Ravindra Jayakody, argued that the bailors should be close relatives of the defendant. In compliance with the court’s instructions, Senanayake’s spouse and another close relative were produced as bailors through an affidavit.
Senanayake is accused of attempting to influence Colombo Kings player Tharindu Ratnayake by persuading him not to disclose an alleged offer to the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), while also providing guidance and encouragement to facilitate the attempt.
A member of Sri Lanka’s 2014 T20 World Cup-winning team, Senanayake faces formal charges (Case No. CR801/2021 A) in the Hambantota High Court under Section 5(c) of the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports Act No.24 of 2019. The case arose following a complaint lodged by Ratnayake, who reported that Senanayake had attempted to influence him to underperform during the LPL.
Section 5(c) of the Act states that “any person, or any person connected to a sport, who solicits, entices, persuades, induces, or instructs any person directly or indirectly to perform or refrain from performing an act, to influence the result, progress, conduct, or any other aspect of any sport or sporting event, commits the offence of corruption in sports.”
Following Ratnayake’s complaint, former Sri Lanka seamer Dhammika Prasad also came forward with a complaint. The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Ministry of Sports investigated the matter before indictments were served on Senanayake earlier this week.
The indictment was filed on the advice of Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena, the Sports Law Supervisor of the AG’s Department and also the Independent Chair of the ICC’s ACU. It alleges that between November 21 and 22, 2020, within the jurisdiction of Murusi Island (Mauritius) and Hambantota, Senanayake engaged in activities intended to influence match outcomes during the LPL.
Senanayake represented Sri Lanka in 74 international matches across all formats and was a key figure in the 2014 T20 World Cup triumph, one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated cricketing achievements. As an off-spinner, his contributions made him a recognised presence in both domestic and international cricket.
The Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports Act, enacted in 2019, reflects Sri Lanka’s firm legal stance against sporting corruption. It carries severe penalties, including imprisonment of up to 10 years, fines of up to Rs.100 million, or both. The Act’s scope extends to any attempt to influence sporting events, whether through direct involvement or as an accomplice.