The Attorney General has informed the Matale High Court that the owner of a team accused of proposing match-fixing during the Legend Trophy cricket tournament held in Pallekele, Kandy, last year, has fled the country.
The accused, who owns the Kandy Champ Army team, had been released on bail but has reportedly violated bail conditions and left the country illegally.
According to the motion submitted by the Attorney General to the High Court, investigations revealed that the accused had stayed at a hotel listed as his residence until December 31, 2024. While the defendant had booked the hotel room until January 6, 2025, it was discovered that he had not returned to the hotel after December 31.
When questioned, the defendant’s sureties stated they had no information about his whereabouts. They last had contact with him on January 29, 2024, when they were summoned to the police unit investigating sports offenses to sign documents.
During today’s (24th) hearing, Matale High Court Judge Ravindra Premaratne addressed the sureties, urging them to take immediate steps to produce the defendant in court. The judge warned that failure to do so would result in the forfeiture of the bail money.
The court further ordered the continuation of the hearing on February 30, 2025, and instructed the witnesses to be present on that date.
Previously, when the Colombo Magistrate’s Court granted bail to the accused, it imposed a travel ban and seized his passport to prevent him from leaving the country.
The Attorney General has filed an indictment against the defendant under the Prevention of Sports Corruption Act. The charges include proposing match-fixing to Sri Lankan cricketer Upul Tharanga and a New Zealand player during the Legend Trophy cricket tournament held in January 2024.
Motion to inform the court that he has left the country!
