For the first time in South Asia, Sri Lanka has criminalised several offences related to match-fixing as it looks to combat the corruption scandals which have tarnished the image of their national cricket team over the last few years.
The Parliament has passed all three readings of a bill entitled “Prevention of Offences Related to Sports” as per a report in ESPNcricinfo. Punishment could mean a prison term for as long as 10 years.
AFP
Sports Minister Harin Fernando presented the bill in Parliament which was supported by none other then the legendary Arjuna Ranatunga.
Not only will “any person related to a sport” be punished but also anyone who is directly involved in fixing, along with those who “provide…inside information”.
AFP
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The bill is expected to become a law soon.
ICC’s ACU has been investigating cricket on the island since 2017.
AFP
Former Sri Lankan pacer Dilhara Lokuhettige was suspended for corruption in 2018 due to what he did in a limited-overs league in 2017.
Earlier, ICC’s anti-corruption code violation charges were leveled against Sanath Jayasuriya and Nuwan Zoysa. Jayasuriya got banned for 2 years while Zoysa got a suspension.
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