Former Sri Lankan Cricketer Sachithra Senanayake Ordered to Assist Match-Fixing Probe
The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court issued an order on Friday for ex-Sri Lankan cricketer Sachithra Senanayake to aid ongoing investigations related to match-fixing allegations. Senanayake has been directed to cooperate with the Government Analyst at the request of the police.
This directive came in response to a complaint filed by the Special Investigations Unit of the Sports Ministry, and the case is scheduled for further hearing on May 17, 2024.
Senanayake, who was previously released on bail on September 25, faced accusations of match-fixing. The court, at that time, found no evidence suggesting the accused had tampered with witnesses during the investigation phase. Despite the bail, an overseas travel ban imposed by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court remains in effect.
The 38-year-old was taken into custody on September 6 after reportedly surrendering to the Special Investigations Unit over allegations of match-fixing. The charges revolve around purported attempts to influence cricketers participating in the 2020 edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) through phone calls from Dubai.
The inaugural LPL tournament took place from November 27 to December 17, 2020, in Hambantota, Sri Lanka. Media reports in 2020 initially linked Senanayake to these allegations, which he vehemently refuted, claiming they were attempts to tarnish his reputation without any factual basis.
