An arrest warrant has been issued for Sri Lankan cricketer Chamika Karunaratne after he failed to appear before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court in connection with a child maintenance case.
Colombo Additional Magistrate Kasun Kanchana Dasanayake ordered that Karunaratne be arrested and produced before court after he was absent when the matter was taken up on September 28.
Karunaratne is currently in Japan on national duty, representing Sri Lanka at the 2026 Asian Games. It is understood that his absence due to his national team commitments had not been properly communicated to the court when the case was called, resulting in the warrant being issued over his non-appearance.
The proceedings concern a maintenance complaint relating to a child. The complaint seeks an order requiring Karunaratne to make maintenance payments for the child.
Karunaratne has denied that he is the father of the child and disputes the allegation of paternity. The court proceedings will therefore determine the issues raised in the maintenance claim in accordance with the applicable legal process.
The warrant was issued specifically in relation to his failure to appear before court and does not, by itself, determine the disputed allegation regarding the child's paternity.
The case is scheduled to be taken up again on January 4.
