Sri Lankan cricket breaks silence after Manjot Kalra’s arrest, vows zero tolerance for corruption | Cricket news

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has reaffirmed its “zero tolerance” stance on corruption after former India Under-19 World Cup winner and Jaffna Kings co-owner Manjot Kalra was arrested on charges of trying to bribe players during the Lanka Premier League (LPL).In a statement released hours after Kalra’s arrest on Friday, the island nation’s cricket board said the ongoing investigation would not affect the LPL’s conduct and pledged its “fullest cooperation” with the police’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to prevent sports-related offences.“Sri Lanka Cricket, together with the Lanka Premier League 2026, will extend its full cooperation to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for the prevention of crimes related to sports if any assistance is requested in relation to any inquiry arising from the matter,” the SLC said.The committee emphasized that the five-team tournament, which began on Friday at the SSC Grounds in Colombo, will go ahead as scheduled.

SLC reiterates its zero tolerance policy

Reaffirming its commitment to protecting the integrity of the competition, the SLC said it will not tolerate corruption, misconduct or foul play by any stakeholder associated with the league.“As the governing body of the Lanka Premier League 2026, Sri Lanka Cricket reiterates its unwavering commitment to protect 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 said.The committee added that extensive protective measures had already been put in place before the start of the tournament.According to the SLC, its Anti-Corruption Unit is working closely with the government’s SIU to strengthen the league’s anti-corruption framework. He also appointed Integrity Mentors, an independent anti-corruption and sports integrity organization, to provide professional integrity support and education during the competition.“Sri Lanka Cricket has a zero tolerance approach towards corruption and unethical practices and will ensure that all necessary steps are taken to safeguard the integrity of the Lanka Premier League 2026,” the committee added.

Kalra was remanded in judicial custody

Kalra, 27, was taken into custody by the SIU and later produced before a magistrate, who remanded him in judicial custody until July 31, according to local media reports.Another Indian national, identified as Yuvraj Pushpa, was also arrested in connection with the case and 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 say the complaint was lodged by Jaffna Kings players Bhanuk Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando and Dunith Wellalage, prompting an anti-corruption investigation.Kalra shot to fame in 2018 when he scored an unbeaten 101 in the U-19 World Cup final against Australia, leading Prithvi Shaw-led India to the title. Future Indian internationals Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh and Shivam Mavi were also in the squad.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 Lankan Premier League, where Jaffna Kings were scheduled to face Galle Gallants. While the investigation is ongoing, Sri Lanka Cricket has made it clear that the tournament will go ahead without interruption, insisting that strong anti-corruption measures remain firmly in place to protect the credibility of the league.