Senanayake taken into custody by a specialized police unit handling sports-related crimes, as confirmed by an AFP statement from a police spokesman.

Although formal charges were pending, the arrest was linked to an incident in the 2020 Lanka Premier League (LPL) season.

Senanayake’s passport was impounded during a prior police investigation into the allegations against him.

Senanayake, who last played for Sri Lanka in 2016, is facing accusations of influencing two LPL players to manipulate matches in 2020.

Sri Lanka police stated that Senanayake is the first player to be prosecuted under a 2019 law that deems match-fixing a criminal offense.

A conviction could result in a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine reaching up to 100 million rupees ($309,000), or a combination of both penalties.

Former sports minister Harin Fernando introduced this stringent law following concerns that the International Cricket Council (ICC) considered Sri Lanka one of the most corrupt cricket nations.

Former sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage echoed these concerns when he told parliament in 2021 that match-fixing was deeply entrenched in the country.

Passport Confiscated Following Anti-Corruption Investigation

In a significant development, a Sri Lankan court has enacted a travel ban on former national cricketer Sachithra Senanayake, making him the first player to face investigation under a new anti-corruption law centered around match-fixing. The cricketer, aged 38, has had his passport impounded as state lawyers sought additional time to delve into an incident stemming from the 2020 Lanka Premier League.

Senanayake’s passport, a key identifier of international travel, has been withheld as legal authorities delve into his alleged involvement in match-fixing during the 2020 Lanka Premier League. The decision to restrict his travel came as a response to state lawyers’ request for extended time to conduct a thorough investigation.

As the legal process unfolds, the travel ban is set to remain in effect until October 16. On this date, the case is scheduled to be heard before the Colombo magistrate. A court official confirmed these details to reporters in Colombo, outlining the course of legal proceedings.

Senanayake, who represented Sri Lanka in his last international match against Australia in a Twenty20 game in September 2016, now faces allegations of influencing two players in the LPL to participate in match-fixing during 2020. Despite having retired from all forms of cricket in February 2020, the investigations into his conduct have persisted.

Police have indicated that Senanayake is the inaugural player to be prosecuted under a 2019 sports law that classifies match-fixing as a criminal offense. If found guilty, he could face severe penalties including a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, a fine not exceeding 100 million rupees ($317,000), or both.

While formal charges against Senanayake are scheduled to be presented in October, the former player has publicly maintained his innocence, signaling his intention to contest the allegations in a legal setting.

Senanayake’s case marks a significant development in cricket’s battle against corruption. As various high-profile Sri Lankan cricketers have faced investigation and penalties by the International Cricket Council in connection to corruption, Senanayake becomes the first to encounter criminal prosecution.

The stringent anti-corruption law was introduced by then sports minister Harin Fernando in November 2019, as a response to the International Cricket Council’s apprehensions about corruption within Sri Lanka’s cricketing landscape.

Former sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage highlighted the pervasiveness of match-fixing within Sri Lanka in 2021, indicating a broader issue that has led to this heightened legal action.