Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has reiterated its “zero tolerance” stance on corruption after Manjot Kalra, India’s former Under-19 World Cup winner and co-owner of Jaffna Kings, was arrested over allegations of trying to induce a player to engage in corruption during the Sri Lanka Premier League (LPL).In a statement issued hours after Kalra’s arrest on Friday, the island nation’s cricket board said the ongoing investigation would not influence the conduct of the LPL and pledged “full cooperation” with the police’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) to prevent sports-related crimes.
“Sri Lanka Cricket, along with the Sri Lanka Premier League 2026, will extend its full cooperation to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to prevent sports-related crimes should any assistance be requested in relation to any investigation arising out of this matter,” the SLC said.The board stressed that the five-team tournament, which kicked off on Friday at the SSC Grounds in Colombo, will continue as scheduled.
SLC reiterates its zero tolerance policy
Underscoring its commitment to protecting the integrity of the competition, the SLC said it will not tolerate corruption, misconduct or foul play by any stakeholders associated with the league.“As the governing body of the Sri Lanka Premier League 2026, Sri Lanka Cricket affirms its firm 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 statement read.
The board added that extensive safeguards had already been put in place before the start of the tournament.According to the SLC, its anti-corruption unit works closely with the state SIU to strengthen the association’s anti-corruption framework. It has also appointed Integrity Mentors, an independent anti-corruption and sports integrity organisation, to provide specialist integrity support and education throughout the competition.“Sri Lanka Cricket has a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and unethical practices and will ensure that all necessary steps are taken to protect the integrity of the 2026 Sri Lanka Premier League,” the board added.
Kalra was remanded in judicial custody
Kalra, 27, was detained by the Special Investigation Unit and later brought before a judge, who remanded him in judicial custody until July 31, according to local media reports.Another Indian national, Yuvraj Pushpa, was also arrested in connection with the case and was remanded in custody after being produced before the court, according to news agency PTI.Police allege that Kalra tried to offer money to a player associated with the Lanka Premier League. Reports in Sri Lanka said the complaint was lodged by Jaffna Kings players Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando and Donith Willalage, prompting an anti-corruption investigation.Kalra rose to prominence in 2018 when he scored an unbeaten 101 in the Under-19 World Cup final against Australia, leading India, captained by Prithvi Shaw, to the title.
The team also included future India internationals Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh and Shivam Mavi.After stepping away from professional cricket, Kalra moved into sports entrepreneurship and became an investor in the Jaffna Kings franchise earlier this year.His arrest came on the opening day of the Sri Lanka Premier League, where Jaffna Kings were scheduled to face Galle Gallant. While the investigation continues, Sri Lanka Cricket has made it clear that the tournament will continue uninterrupted, insisting that strong anti-corruption measures will remain in place to protect the league’s credibility.