Sachithra Senanayake, a former cricketer from Sri Lanka, is now facing serious legal trouble. He has been officially charged with match-fixing during the 2020 Lanka Premier League (LPL). This news was announced on June 5, 2025, and marks an important moment because Senanayake is the first Sri Lankan national-level player to be prosecuted under the country’s new anti-corruption law.
Match-fixing means trying to change the outcome of a cricket match in an unfair or illegal way, usually for money or other benefits. This practice damages the spirit of sports and is taken very seriously by cricket authorities and the law.
Senanayake is a 40-year-old former spin bowler for the Sri Lankan national cricket team. He played for Sri Lanka in international matches until 2016 and appeared in 74 matches at the international level. Apart from international cricket, Senanayake also played for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) during 2023.
Despite his successful cricket career, Senanayake’s reputation has been tarnished by the allegations of match-fixing. He was arrested in 2023 and later released on bail, but the legal process is ongoing.
The charges against Senanayake came after an investigation into the 2020 Lanka Premier League, a professional Twenty20 cricket league in Sri Lanka. The accusations say that he tried to influence other players to fix matches.
According to reports, Senanayake allegedly contacted two players from the Lanka Premier League and tried to persuade them to take part in match-fixing. He is also reported to have approached Tharindu Ratnayake, a national-level player who was playing for the Colombo Kings during the 2020 LPL.
Local media reported that Senanayake contacted these players by telephone from Dubai. The attempt was to get these players involved in fixing parts of the matches, which is illegal.
On June 5, 2025, Senanayake was formally indicted before the High Court in Hambantota, a southern city in Sri Lanka. An indictment means he was officially charged and the case will now proceed through the court system.
If found guilty, Senanayake could face harsh penalties. The maximum punishment includes:
Up to 10 years in prison.
A fine of up to 100 million Sri Lankan rupees (approximately $333,000).
Or both jail time and a fine.
Sri Lanka introduced a new anti-corruption law to fight corruption in sports, including cricket. This law is designed to prevent match-fixing and other forms of cheating in sports.
Senanayake is the first national-level player to be prosecuted under this law. This shows the government and cricket authorities are serious about stopping corruption in cricket.
Before the indictment, Senanayake had already faced some restrictions. In 2023, a local court banned him from traveling overseas. This was part of the legal action taken while the investigation was ongoing.
The ban on travel meant Senanayake could not leave Sri Lanka until the case is resolved.
Match-fixing is a global problem in cricket. It involves players or officials manipulating the game for illegal gains, often by betting or receiving money from illegal sources.
The International Cricket Council (ICC), which is cricket’s global governing body, has strict rules and penalties against match-fixing. The ICC works with national cricket boards and law enforcement to catch and punish offenders.
ALSO READ: Big Bear Valley’s baby bald eagle Sunny takes first flight while Sister Gizmo watches
ALSO READ: Israel military reports two projectiles from Syria landed in open areas
Senanayake’s case is not isolated. Recently, other cricketers have been punished for similar crimes.
For example, Shohely Akhter, a female cricketer from Bangladesh, was banned for five years from all cricket matches. The ICC found her guilty of match-fixing and breaching five parts of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. She admitted to the offences and became the first female cricketer to be banned for corruption.
These cases highlight the ongoing struggle cricket faces to keep the sport clean and fair.
The charges against Senanayake have brought shame and embarrassment to Sri Lankan cricket. As a respected former player, his involvement in match-fixing scandals damages the sport’s reputation in the country.
Sri Lankan cricket fans feel disappointed and saddened by the news. They hope for a thorough investigation and justice to be served.
The Sri Lankan cricket authorities will need to strengthen their anti-corruption measures and ensure that such incidents do not happen again in the future.
The case against Senanayake will continue in the courts. Evidence will be presented, and both the prosecution and defense will make their arguments.
The court will decide whether Senanayake is guilty or not. If found guilty, he will face punishment as per the anti-corruption laws.
This case also sends a warning to other players involved in or considering match-fixing that they could face severe consequences.
Cricket fans and the sports community want fair play and honesty. Match-fixing undermines the trust fans have in the game.
It is important for cricket boards, players, and officials to work together to prevent corruption. Education, strict laws, and vigilance are key to protecting the sport.
Fans should also support efforts to clean up cricket and encourage transparency and fairness in the game.
Copyright © © 2022 Copyright. All Rights Reserved with Arth Parkash