Srilankan player Sachithra Senanayake charged of match fixing. The former spin bowler, found himself in police custody on Wednesday, facing charges related to match-fixing. This marks the first instance of someone being prosecuted under a 2019 law in Sri Lanka that criminalizes match-fixing.
Srilankan Player Sachithra Senanayake charged of Match Fixing Details
At the age of 38, Senanayake was apprehended by a specialized police unit tasked with investigating sports-related crimes. His alleged involvement revolves around influencing two players to engage in match-fixing during the 2020 Lanka Premier League (LPL).
In the event of a conviction, Senanayake could potentially be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in prison and may also face a fine of up to SLR100 million ($309,000).
This arrest comes amid Sri Lanka’s concerted efforts to combat match-fixing within its cricketing domain. The stringent legislation was introduced by the country’s former sports minister, Harin Fernando, in response to concerns expressed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which had identified Sri Lanka as one of the most corruption-prone cricketing nations.
In 2021, another former sports minister, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, informed the parliament that match-fixing was rampant in the country. Additionally, Arjuna Ranatunga, Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning captain, called on fans in 2012 to boycott matches as a protest against what he perceived as “mismanagement, corruption, and indiscipline” within the national team.
The arrest of Senanayake represents a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to combat match-fixing. The question remains whether this action will serve as a deterrent for other players contemplating involvement in corrupt practices.