Indian manager sentenced to four years imprisonment with Rs. 85 m fine for match fixing

Wednesday, 26 March 2025 00:16 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Upul Tharanga gets Rs. 2 million as compensation
Significant decision under Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports Act

Upul Tharanga

The Matale High Court has sentenced the Manager of the Kandy Samp Army franchise in the 2024 Legends League, Akash (Yogi) Patel, in absentia to four years of imprisonment for match-fixing.

The Indian national was found guilty of approaching Sri Lanka’s Chief Cricket Selector Upul Tharanga, to fix matches during the 2024 Legends League tournament held at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

The accused was also fined Rs. 85 million and was ordered to pay Rs. 2 million as compensation to Upul Tharanga for defamation following the voluntary complaint of Tharanga.

The trial proceeded in Patel’s absence, following a detailed investigation and witness testimonies. During the previous hearing, Patel failed to appear in court, and investigations revealed that he had likely fled the country.

The Judge has also instructed the CID to conduct a full probe into how Patel exited the country, despite a court-imposed travel ban.

Counsel Nishan Sydney Premathiratne with Vikum Jayasinghe and Shenali Dias on the instructions of Gamindu Karunasena appeared for the interest of Upul Tharanga.