Indictment served on Dambulla Thunders owner over ‘attempted manipulation’
The Colombo High Court this week served an indictment on Bangladeshi-born British national Tamim Rahman, owner of the LPL franchise Dambulla Thunders, over allegations of attempting to manipulate last year’s Lanka Premier League (LPL). Three other foreign nationals have also been named as suspects in the case.
According to the indictment, the charges relate to events said to have occurred between 19 and 30 April 2024. The Prosecution alleges that Rahman—described as a person connected to cricket—acted together with Mujeed Ur Reheman, Bilal Orka Hossain, Iqbal Javed, and other unidentified individuals, with the common intention of influencing the outcome or conduct of the LPL.
The first charge accuses the four men of conspiring to influence “the result, progress, conduct, or any other aspect” of the tournament. Prosecutors say this was attempted by directly or indirectly approaching P. G. G. Chandima Sashrika Peiris Pussegolla, a Director of the Dambulla Thunders franchise, instructing him to identify a player—or players—who could be “controlled” by Rahman and his associates. The indictment states that this conduct violated Section 9 of the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports Act, No. 24 of 2019, read with Section 5(c) of the same Act, as well as Sections 102 and 113B of the Penal Code, which deal with abetment and conspiracy.
The second charge concerns the offence of “Corruption of Sports”, alleging that Rahman and the same suspects attempted to induce Pussegolla to provide access to a controllable player with the intention of corrupting a match. This offence too falls under Section 9, read with Section 5(c) of the Sports Act, and is further supported by Section 32 of the Penal Code, relating to acts committed jointly by several persons with a shared intention.
Summons have also been issued for Pakistani national Mujeed Ur Reheman who, along with the other two suspects, had reportedly left the country soon after Rahman’s arrest.
When the case was taken up before High Court Judge Udesh Ranathunga, the Court ordered Rahman’s release on cash bail of Rs. 200,000, with two sureties of Rs. 10 million each. President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa, appearing for Rahman, told Court that his client had been compelled to remain in Sri Lanka for over 18 months due to the case, causing significant disruption to his business and personal life. He further stated that Rahman was prepared to plead guilty and had already made representations to the Attorney General.
State Counsel Akila Dalpadadu requested additional time to seek instructions, and the case was fixed for further hearing on 8 December.