Sri Lanka passes bill to criminalise offences related to match-fixing

Sri Lanka brought in tougher penalties for match-fixing and became the first South Asian nation to criminalise offences related to it after the Parliament passed "Prevention of Offences Related to Sports" bill on November 11. All the three readings of the bill were passed without any amendment and if found guilty in offence related to corruption in sports, it provides for a fine not exceeding 100 million Sri Lankan rupee or a prison term not exceeding 10 years or both. 

"Many tried to prevent this piece of legislation, but I am happy that it was taken up today," said Harin Fernando, Sri Lankan sports minister, after the bill was passed unanimously.

Arjuna Ranatunga, cabinet minister and former Sri Lankan captain of men’s cricket team, supported the legislation during parliamentary debates.

Read: KPL Match Fixing Case: All About CM Gautam, The Former IPL Cricketer

Law on curators, support staff, retired players

The bill provides for punishment for any person directly or indirectly involved in fixing. If a curator prepares a pitch to benefit betting operators or any other ground staff or support staff receives money or any other reward to disclose the condition of the playing surface comes under the ambit of a criminal offence.

In case a retired player or any person connected to a sport provides corrupt figures access to local or foreign players in order to influence their performance for money or any other reward will be penalised accordingly. An independent, impartial Special Investigation Unit consisting of a number of Police Officers with a rank not less than an Assistant Superintendent of Police will be appointed to investigate any offence under this Act. 

Read: Bangladesh Cricket Strike: Ex-BCB Chief Accuses Board Of Match Fixing

ICC on match-fixing offences

Sri Lanka’s Sports Ministry, while drafting the bill, worked in close coordination with the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Anti-corruption unit (ACU). The offences under the ICC ACU Anti-Corruption Code is related to match-fixing, betting on cricket, misuse of inside information, failing to report an ‘approach’ or corrupt conduct to the ICC ACU, failing to cooperate with, or obstructing an investigation or proceedings.

Read: ICC Suspends UAE Trio For Match Fixing Ahead Of WT20 Qualifiers

Read: TNCA Gives Clean Chit To TNPL T20 On Allegations Of Match Fixing

(With Inputs from Agencies)