SLC refutes allegations of corruption; LPL-5 to go ahead as scheduled

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has vehemently refuted the allegations made by Member of Parliament Hesha Withanage accusing the SLC President, the Tournament

Director of the Lanka Premier League (LPL), and other SLC officials of involvement in match-fixing and corrupt conduct related to the Lanka Premier League (LPL).

The SLC, as the responsible governing body for cricket in Sri Lanka and the supreme authority organising the LPL since its inception in 2020, has consistently prioritised the integrity of the sport, states a SLC media release.

To this end, SLC has engaged the services of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit (ICC-ACU) to oversee all anti-corruption measures for the LPL tournament. The recent LPL player auction was also attended and monitored by ICC ACU officials as part of their ongoing support.

We wish to clarify that SLC’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of cricket led to the engagement of ICC ACU officials in this process, and it was these ICC ACU officials who informed the Special Investigation Unit for the Prevention of Offenses Relating to Sports about suspicious activities involving one of the owners of the Dambulla team.

This information resulted in the arrest made by local police authorities.

SLC stands firm in its dedication to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and transparency in cricket. We will continue to cooperate fully with the ICC and local law enforcement authorities to ensure the sport remains free from corruption and misconduct.

Meanwhile, Innovative Production Group FZE, the Event Rights Partner of the LPL states that notwithstanding the recent events surrounding the arrest of a co-owner of the Dambulla franchise, the LPL Season 5 will proceed as scheduled.

We are committed to ensuring that the tournament remains a showcase of the best in cricket, embodying the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship, states a media release from IPG FZE. The Lanka Premier League Season 5 will continue with its full schedule and roster of matches, featuring five teams.

The Dambulla franchise, despite the recent changes, will participate under a new ownership. We are in the final stages of confirming the new ownership, ensuring a seamless transition and uninterrupted participation of the team in the tournament.

IPG has always upheld the highest standards of propriety and integrity as the Event Rights Partner of the LPL. Our dedication to maintaining these standards remains unwavering. We assure all players, fans, and stakeholders that the league’s integrity and the spirit of cricket will be preserved throughout the tournament.

The LPL will be conducted from 1-21 July starting in Kandy, moving to Dambulla and finally to Colombo for the business end of the tournament.