Former India Under-19 World Cup winner and Jaffna Kings co-Owner Manjot Kalra has been remanded until July 31 by a Magistrate’s Court in Colombo as authorities continue investigating alleged corruption linked to the 2026 Lanka Premier League (LPL), according to a report by Cricinfo, which said Sri Lanka Police confirmed the development.
Kalra was produced before the court after being arrested on July 16, with the investigation continuing under Sri Lanka’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports. The latest court order means he will remain in custody while investigators pursue the case.
Court hears allegations linked to LPL players
According to local media reports from the court proceedings, investigators told the Magistrate’s Court that Kalra allegedly attempted to influence LPL matches by approaching Jaffna Kings players Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dunith Wellalage and Avishka Fernando. The reports alleged that offers worth more than US$30,000 were made, while investigators also informed the court that recorded telephone conversations and video footage formed part of the evidence gathered during the investigation.
The same reports said the players alerted the SIU following the alleged approach, after which investigators directed the operation that ultimately led to the arrests. Bail was sought on Kalra’s behalf but was denied, with the court determining that releasing him at this stage could affect the ongoing investigation.
Kalra denies wrongdoing
In a statement released on his behalf, Kalra said he was “fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation” and “is confident that the facts will establish his innocence and clear his name.”
The statement also said Kalra entered the Jaffna Kings ownership group as a minority shareholder after the league completed its due diligence process and maintained that his association with the franchise had been undertaken with integrity. It added that he would continue assisting investigators while refraining from making further public comment, stating: “As the matter is currently under investigation, Mr. Kalra will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities and will refrain from making any further comments at this stage. He remains confident that the truth will prevail.”
Sri Lanka Cricket reinforces integrity measures
The investigation has prompted Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to reiterate the safeguards in place around the tournament while confirming the competition will continue as scheduled.
In its official statement, SLC said: “As the governing body of the Lanka Premier League 2026, Sri Lanka Cricket reiterates its unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of the tournament and will not tolerate any form of corruption, misconduct, or foul play by any stakeholder associated with the league.”
The board also outlined the measures already in place to support anti-corruption efforts, stating: “Sri Lanka Cricket’s Anti-Corruption Unit has been working closely with the Government’s law enforcement agency, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports, to strengthen the league’s anti-corruption framework.”
SLC added that independent specialist support had also been introduced for this year’s tournament, saying: “In addition, Sri Lanka Cricket has engaged Integrity Mentors, an independent anti-corruption and sports integrity organization to provide specialist integrity support and education throughout the tournament, ensuring that the Lanka Premier League 2026 is conducted in a fair, transparent, and corruption-free environment.”
Investigation remains ongoing
Kalra first came to prominence after scoring a century in India’s victory over Australia in the 2018 ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup final before later moving into sports investment and becoming a co-owner of the Jaffna Kings franchise.
The investigation remains ongoing, with Kalra due to remain in custody until July 31 while Sri Lankan authorities continue their inquiries into the allegations.
