LPL disbands Dambulla Thunders amid owner's arrest on match-fixing charges

The Lanka Premier League (LPL) has swiftly terminated its association with the Dambulla Thunders franchise following the arrest of team owner Tamim Rahman in Colombo on Wednesday. 

Rahman's apprehension stemmed from grave match-fixing allegations, marking a severe blow to the integrity of the league.

Rahman, a British-Bangladeshi citizen, was detained at the Bandaranaike International Airport under the stringent 2019 Prevention of Offences relating to sports law, under Sri Lanka's sports ministry jurisdiction. The arrest was confirmed by an official from the Special Investigation Unit for the Prevention of Offenses Relating to Sports.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered Rahman's custody until May 31, although the specific charges against him have not been fully disclosed to the public. Rahman's acquisition of the Dambulla franchise through Imperial Sports Group occurred just recently in April, adding layers of complexity to the unfolding saga.

Notably, Sri Lanka stands as a pioneer in South Asia for criminalizing match-fixing and sports corruption, enacting stringent laws in 2019. Offenders face severe penalties, including up to 10 years of imprisonment alongside substantial fines. The legislation also addresses individuals who may have been approached by fixers but failed to report such nefarious activities.

This development follows the recent case of Indian nationals Yoni Patel and P Akash, embroiled in match-fixing allegations within the Legends Cricket League (LCL) in Colombo. Both individuals, implicated in fixing matches during the LCL held from March 8 to March 19, had to surrender their passports and are currently out on bail. Patel, notably, also owns a team in the league.

Despite the tumultuous environment surrounding the LPL, the league remains steadfast in its upcoming schedule, set to kick off on July 1 and conclude on July 21.