Jaffna Kings Co-Owner Breaks Silence on Match-Fixing Charges

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Manjot Kalra, former India Under-19 star and Jaffna Kings co-owner, denies match-fixing charges in the 2026 LPL. He remains in custody until July 31 as investigators present recorded calls and video evidence.

Former India Under-19 cricketer Manjot Kalra is speaking out. He's denying all match-fixing allegations and corruption charges tied to the 2026 Lanka Premier League. The Colombo Magistrate's Court has ordered him held in custody until July 31. This comes after his arrest for allegedly trying to fix matches. Sri Lankan police picked up Kalra on July 16. That was just hours before the LPL season opener. Prosecutors say the Jaffna Kings co-owner tried to bribe international cricketers to influence game results. ### The Arrest and the Evidence Kalra was arrested by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for Prevention of Offences relating to Sports. They acted on intelligence about corrupt approaches. Authorities claim Kalra tried to manipulate games in the sixth edition of Sri Lanka's top T20 league. The court heard that Kalra is a primary suspect in a scheme to alter match proceedings for financial gain. Investigators say they have strong evidence against him. This includes recorded phone calls and video footage from the first phase of their investigation. The Chief Magistrate denied Kalra's bail plea. The reason? To make sure he doesn't interfere with the ongoing investigation. ### Specific Allegations and Player Involvement The prosecution says Kalra targeted several high-profile Sri Lankan international players on the Jaffna Kings. The players named include Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dunith Wellalage, and Avishka Fernando. Court documents claim Kalra paid these athletes more than $30,000 to guarantee specific results during the tournament. Here's what happened next: - The cricketers immediately contacted the SIU to report the approach. - Acting on instructions from authorities, they negotiated a payment of about $380,000. - They promised an advance of roughly $315,000. - Police arrested Kalra and an unnamed associate after the associate brought a bag with the cash to a pre-arranged spot. ### Manjot Kalra's Official Statement and Defense Manjot Kalra broke his silence with a formal statement on July 19. His legal team published it. Kalra says he's "fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation." He also stated that "the facts will establish his innocence and clear his name." His legal team denies all corruption allegations. Kalra is confident the facts will eventually prove his innocence and restore his reputation. His lawyers, led by Senior Counsel Mr. K. Wasantha S. Fernando, argue the claims lack proper evidence. They plan to challenge the prosecution's version of events in future hearings. Kalra's team also says he joined the league as a minority shareholder in good faith. He passed all required background checks before getting involved. ### Legal Team Challenges the Evidence The defense counsel says Kalra understands the integrity expected of an Indian sportsman. They claim he has always committed to those values. For now, Kalra will stay in police custody to keep the investigation moving without issues. His lawyers are committed to finding the real culprits. They believe someone set Kalra up. Kalra won't make any further statements or public comments for now. ### Sri Lanka Cricket's Response Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) reacted quickly to the arrest. The governing body says it has a zero-tolerance policy for any form of corruption or match fixing. SLC is fully cooperating with the SIU and independent anti-corruption units.

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