Sachithra Senanayake Indicted for Match-Fixing

HAMBANTOTA: Former Sri Lankan cricketer Sachithra Senanayake faces serious allegations as the Hambantota High Court formally accused him of engaging in match-fixing during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) in 2020, according to reports from Sri Lankan media on Thursday.

The 40-year-old is also alleged to have attempted to induce other cricketers to participate in fixing matches.

It’s reported that he made contact via telephone from Dubai with two players involved in the 2020 LPL’s inaugural season, endeavoring to influence them into corrupt practices.

One of the players he contacted was his national teammate, Tharindu Ratnayake, who at the time played for the Colombo Kings.

This isn’t the first instance of Senanayake finding himself at the center of controversy. He was previously taken into custody in 2023 on similar charges, but was subsequently granted bail.

During that time, Senanayake refuted the accusations. However, a three-month travel restriction was put in place against him in August 2023, following directives from the Attorney General to the Sports Ministry’s Special Investigation Unit, instructing them to pursue criminal charges.

This case is a significant event, as Senanayake is reportedly the first national cricketer in Sri Lanka to be charged with match-fixing since the country’s new anti-corruption legislation was enacted.

Senanayake had a noteworthy international career from 2012 to 2016, where he represented Sri Lanka in one Test, 49 ODIs, and 24 T20 Internationals, claiming a total of 78 wickets. He was also a member of Sri Lanka’s winning team in the 2014 T20 World Cup.

He debuted internationally as an 18-year-old in the 2011-12 ODI series against South Africa and was recognized for his off-spin bowling and valuable lower-order batting abilities.

Throughout his domestic career, he secured 297 first-class wickets at an average of 20.50 and 107 List A wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 3.90.