Two suspects, including one of the Indian co-owners of the Jaffna Kings franchise in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) , and another Indian national, who were arrested on suspicion of attempting to influence players participating in the 2026 LPL to engage in match-fixing, have been remanded until July 31, 2026.

The suspects were arrested by officers of the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) for the Prevention of Offences Related to Sports earlier today (17) and were subsequently produced before the Colombo Magistrate's Court.

Accordingly, after considering submissions made by the investigating officers and counsel appearing for the suspects, Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered that the two suspects be remanded until July 31, 2026.

Presenting the suspects before the court, officers of the SIU for the Prevention of Offences Related to Sports informed the court that telephone conversations linked to the alleged match-fixing attempt had been recorded.  

The investigators stated that the two suspects had been arrested over allegations of attempting to influence players participating in the 2026 Lanka Premier League (LPL) to fix matches.

According to the officers, the suspects had allegedly approached several players, including Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dunith Wellalage and Avishka Fernando, with proposals to engage in match-fixing.

Investigators further told court that the suspects later met the players at a cafe, where they allegedly offered USD 300,000 in exchange for fixing four matches.

The players subsequently had reported the approach to the SIU. Acting on the instructions of investigators, the players allegedly demanded USD 50,000 per match from the suspects as part of the investigation.

Officials told court that all telephone conversations related to the alleged deal had been recorded and that video footage had also been obtained. The recordings and video evidence were to be produced before court under seal.

The investigators further stated that the financial negotiations initially involved Rs. 12 million, which was later reduced to Rs. 8 million before the parties allegedly agreed on Rs. 11.5 million.

They told court that the suspects were arrested yesterday (16) while allegedly attempting to hand over Rs. 9.5 million near the Head Office of a bank in Colombo. The cash had reportedly been brought in a black bag, which was also produced before court as evidence.

However, counsel appearing for the suspects rejected all allegations, arguing that there was no evidence to suggest that the co-owner of the cricket franchise had offered a bribe.

The defence submitted that the suspects had travelled to Sri Lanka with substantial funds to promote the sport and requested that they be released on bail, describing them as young individuals.

After considering the submissions, Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama observed that granting bail at this stage could interfere with the ongoing investigation and ordered that the suspects be remanded until July 31.