June 05, Colombo (LNW): A former national cricketer is set to face legal proceedings at the Hambantota High Court after the Attorney General formally filed an indictment against him, marking a significant development in Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption in sport.
Sachindra Madushanka Senanayake, once a rising figure in Sri Lankan cricket, stands accused of attempting to manipulate a professional match by targeting another player with illicit approaches during a domestic tournament in late 2020.
The case centres on events that allegedly unfolded during a high-profile competition hosted in Hambantota, where Senanayake is said to have tried to influence the integrity of the matches through covert means.
According to the case details, he allegedly made contact with Tharindu Hasanka Ratnayake, who had secured a place in the Colombo Kings squad during the inaugural Lanka Premier League (LPL). Senanayake reportedly proposed an offer to the player with the intent of swaying his conduct on the field. Crucially, he is also accused of urging Ratnayake not to disclose the incident to officials from the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Unit — a serious violation under local and international sports governance protocols.
These charges fall under Section 5(a) of Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports Act No. 24 of 2019, legislation enacted to protect the credibility of sporting competition and ensure the highest ethical standards among athletes and associated personnel.
This is the first time a Sri Lankan cricketer has been formally indicted under this specific Act in a High Court, signifying a landmark moment in the nation’s anti-corruption framework within sport.
Investigations into Senanayake’s alleged conduct also unearthed claims that he made similar approaches to two other players competing in the same tournament.
These contacts, reportedly made via phone from abroad, further complicated the case and raised questions about whether a broader attempt to compromise the tournament was in play.
Senanayake had previously been granted bail in relation to those allegations.
