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Former Sri Lankan spinner Sachithra Senanayake, who had once been a key figure in Sri Lanka’s cricketing world, has now found himself in big trouble. Senanayake was facing trial under match-fixing charges for quite some time and has now surrendered to the Special Investigation Unit of the Sports Ministry. The cricketing community was left stunned when news broke that Senanayake had been arrested, sending shockwaves through the cricketing fraternity.
Sachithra Senanayake’s cricketing journey
It is worth mentioning that Senanayake has donned the Sri Lankan jersey in a total of 74 international matches across various formats. He represented Sri Lanka in 73 white-ball matches and one Test, contributing significantly with 78 international wickets. His career spanned a spectrum of challenges and triumphs, ultimately earning him recognition as a prominent figure in the cricketing world. However, the recent controversy surrounding Senanayake has now tainted his formerly esteemed career.
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Legal charges on Sachithra Senanayake
The veteran off-spinner has been accused of involvement in match-fixing activities during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2020, and it is alleged that he attempted to manipulate matches, maintaining contact with other cricketers via telephone from Dubai. The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court even imposed a travel ban on him in August 2023, signalling the gravity of the situation.
Denial and arrest
It’s important to note that Senanayake has vehemently denied these allegations in the past. In 2020, he issued a statement condemning what he referred to as “unsubstantiated and manifestly frivolous allegations” and even warned of taking legal action against those who propagated such claims. Nevertheless, despite his denials, the Attorney General’s Department found credible evidence provided by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) within the Sports Ministry, which prompted legal action under the Prevention of Offences Related to Sports Act that ultimately led to his arrest.
