Bangladeshi national linked to LPL franchise arrested and remanded

A Bangladeshi national connected to a Lanka Premier League (LPL) franchise has been remanded after being arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake yesterday on allegations of match fixing.

The suspect, who holds a British passport, has been arrested by the Sports Ministry’s Special Investigations Unit for the prevention of offences related to sports. 

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has remanded him till 31 May. The arrested suspect has been identified as Bangladeshi entrepreneur Tamim Rahman, one of the owners of the LPL franchise Dambulla Thunders who was present at the Lanka Premier League (LPL) Player Auction held on Tuesday at Colombo Hilton in the presence of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Anti-Corruption team. 

He has reportedly been detained at the airport due to a travel ban imposed on him in relation to an investigation being carried out against him by the Sports Ministry’s Special Investigations Unit. The fifth edition of the LPL is due to commence on 1 July.