LPL hit by bribery scandal before opening match

The opening day of the 2026 Lanka Premier League (LPL) was overshadowed by controversy after a

The opening day of the 2026 Lanka Premier League (LPL) was overshadowed by controversy after a co-owner of the Jaffna Kings franchise was arrested over allegations of attempting to bribe a player.

The arrest was made on Friday by Sri Lanka’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports. Authorities said the suspect is accused of offering money to a player in connection with the ongoing tournament.

Investigators revealed that the player reported the alleged approach around 10 days before the start of the competition. Following the complaint, officials launched an investigation that eventually led to the arrest on the opening day of the tournament.

The identity of the arrested co-owner has not been officially disclosed by authorities. Earlier this year, former India Under-19 World Cup star Manjot Kalra and entrepreneur Mayank Goel became part of the Jaffna Kings ownership group after investing in the franchise.

Despite the high-profile arrest, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed that the Lanka Premier League will continue according to schedule. Jaffna Kings were set to face Galle Gallants in the tournament opener at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo.

In an official statement, Sri Lanka Cricket said it is aware of the investigation and will extend full cooperation to the Special Investigations Unit. The cricket board said it remains committed to supporting law enforcement authorities throughout the inquiry.

SLC added that its Anti-Corruption Unit had been working closely with government investigators well before the tournament began. The board said several preventive measures were introduced to strengthen the league’s integrity framework and reduce the risk of corruption.

To further protect the competition, Sri Lanka Cricket appointed independent Integrity Mentors for the 2026 season. These specialists are responsible for educating players and officials, monitoring suspicious activities, and providing expert guidance on maintaining transparency throughout the tournament.