Ex Cricketer Sachithra Senanayake Indicted in Landmark Match-Fixing Case

The Attorney General's Department announced that Senanayake is being prosecuted under the Prevention of Offenses Relating to Sports Act, making him the first national-level cricketer in Sri Lanka to face court action under criminal law for match-fixing.

According to a spokesperson from the Attorney General’s Department, the indictment stems from allegations that Senanayake attempted to solicit, instigate, and instruct fellow cricketer Tharindu Ratnayake in both Mauritius and Hambantota between November 21 and 22, 2020 not to report a match-fixing approach to the International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit. The incident reportedly involved a third party identified as “Saidi,” who remains at large.

Evidence submitted to court includes a conversation in which “Saidi” allegedly told Ratnayake, “I already spoke to the management. You will get games, and you have to give something for them too, okay?” Prosecutors claim that Senanayake then acted to dissuade Ratnayake from reporting the incident to the ICC.

Senanayake has been charged under Section 5(d) of the Sports Corruption Amendment Act, No. 24 of 2019, which relates to obstructing the reporting of corrupt conduct in sports. The charges were filed based on a detailed review of forensic evidence and related materials, under the guidance of Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena.

Senanayake was previously arrested by the Sports Ministry’s Anti-Corruption Unit, following directives from the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit. He was remanded by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court before later being released on bail.

This unprecedented case could set a major precedent for how South Asian countries address criminal behavior related to sports corruption, particularly in cricket—a sport deeply embedded in the region’s cultural fabric.

Further proceedings are expected in the coming weeks as the Hambantota High Court examines the evidence presented by the prosecution.