The legal spotlight has shifted to former Sri Lankan cricketer Sachithra Senanayake, as the Attorney General’s Department has instructed the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Ministry of Sports to initiate criminal proceedings against him. Citing substantial evidence under the Prevention of Offences related to Sports Act No. 24 of 2019, the AG’s Department’s decision comes after discussions between the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) General Manager, Alex Marshall, and local cricket officials.
Allegations and Investigations:
Senanayake, a member of Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup-winning team, is accused of making phone calls from Dubai to two cricketers participating in the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) in 2020, with the intention of persuading them to fix matches – a criminal offense in Sri Lanka. Senanayake has firmly denied these allegations, asserting that there are concerted efforts to tarnish his reputation.
In 2020, he issued a statement condemning the “unsubstantiated and manifestly frivolous allegations” and warned of legal action against those propagating such claims. Despite his denials, the AG’s Department found credible evidence provided by the SIU, prompting them to take legal action under the Prevention of Offences Related to Sports Act.
Legal Implications and Investigations:
The Prevention of Offences Related to Sports Act, enacted in 2019, criminalized corruption in sports. If found guilty, Senanayake could face a fine of up to Sri Lanka Rupees 100 Million or imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both. Senanayake, who surrendered two mobile phones to investigators, has been accused of misleading them by submitting phones that do not belong to him. The ICC ACU is also conducting an independent investigation into the matter.
Anticipatory Bail Rejection and Significance:
Senanayake’s attempts to secure anticipatory bail in March 2021 were unsuccessful, highlighting the gravity of the allegations against him. Notably, his case will be the first to go to trial under the 2019 Act, underscoring its importance in curbing sports-related corruption in Sri Lanka.
Cricketer’s Profile:
Senanayake, aged 38, represented Sri Lanka in 73 white-ball matches, claiming 78 international wickets. Although his Test career was brief, featuring only one match against Pakistan in 2013/2014, he gained prominence as part of Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup-winning squad.
Sports’ Integrity and Future:
The ACU’s investigations into match-fixing within Sri Lankan cricket were instrumental in reshaping player behavior and consciousness. Stringent laws were introduced by the Sports Ministry to combat the pervasive issue, making Sri Lanka the first South Asian nation to legislate against sports-related corruption.
As legal proceedings unfold against Senanayake, the case will not only determine his fate but also underscore Sri Lanka’s resolve to uphold the integrity of cricket and sports at large.
With inputs from The Sunday Times
Former Sri Lanka off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake faces criminal charges over match fixing
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