The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court on Friday ordered former Sri Lankan cricketer Sachithra Senanayake to cooperate with ongoing investigations into match-fixing allegations against him. Senanayake is required to assist the Government Analyst at the request of the police. The order was issued during the court hearing of a complaint filed by the Special Investigations Unit of the Sports Ministry.
The court also scheduled a follow-up hearing for the case on 17th May 2024.
Senanayake had been granted bail on 25th September by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, as no evidence was found during the investigation period suggesting that he had influenced any witnesses. However, the court maintained the overseas travel ban imposed on him.
The 38-year-old cricketer was arrested on 6th September after voluntarily surrendering to the Special Investigations Unit of the Sports Ministry in connection with match-fixing allegations. It is alleged that Senanayake, during the first edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) in 2020, contacted two cricketers via phone calls from Dubai, encouraging them to manipulate matches in the tournament.
The Lanka Premier League took place from 27th November to 17th December 2020 in Hambantota, Sri Lanka.
In 2020, media reports surfaced claiming that Senanayake had urged two cricketers participating in the inaugural LPL tournament to engage in corrupt practices. Senanayake vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that they were attempts to defame and slander him, and he denied any involvement in the alleged match-fixing activities.
