Jaffna Kings terminated mid-season from LPL 2026 after co-owner’s arrest

By Arjun Nair / 23.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 23 July 2026 — 3 min read

The Jaffna Kings, a franchise in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026, have had their rights terminated by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and tournament organiser Innovative Production Group (IPG). This decision, announced on Thursday, follows alleged financial and contractual breaches by the franchise owners. Despite the termination, the team will continue its participation in the tournament under the same name, with its existing squad, coaching staff, and support personnel.

The termination occurred mid-tournament due to several controversies surrounding the ownership group, Sports Commune. One co-owner, Manjot Kalra, was arrested on corruption-related allegations, while another owner, Mayank Goel, is reportedly unreachable. These issues, coupled with alleged failures to pay player and staff salaries and mismanagement of sponsor funds, led to the cancellation of the franchise agreement.

Ownership Changes and Tournament Integrity

Following the termination, IPG and SLC have assumed full operational control of the Jaffna Kings. This measure is intended to ensure the tournament proceeds without interruption. Anil Mohan, CEO of IPG, emphasised that safeguarding the integrity of the tournament is a primary concern for the organisers.

Mohan stated that the decision, though difficult, was made to protect the LPL’s integrity and ensure stability for players, coaches, partners, and fans. He affirmed that all operational matters, including player contracts, staff commitments, and team logistics, are being managed to ensure a seamless continuation. The sixth edition of the LPL, which began on July 17 and is scheduled to conclude on August 8, will proceed as planned.

On the field, the Jaffna Kings, led by Bhanuka Rajapaksa, have had a positive start to their campaign, securing two victories in their first three matches.

Arrest and Investigation Details

Manjot Kalra, a co-owner of the Jaffna Kings, was arrested on Friday by the Police Special Investigations Unit in connection with alleged match-fixing in the LPL. Kalra, who was a key player in India‘s 2018 U-19 World Cup triumph, was detained after local reports indicated that a complaint was filed by Jaffna Kings players Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando, and Dunith Wellalage.

The allegations suggest that Kalra attempted to offer money to an LPL player. Local media reports indicate that Kalra was presented before a magistrate and remanded in judicial custody until July 31. Another Indian national, Yuvraj Pushpa, was also detained by the police in connection with the case.

In response to Kalra’s arrest, SLC issued a statement on Friday, pledging its full cooperation with the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) for the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports. SLC reiterated its commitment to protecting the integrity of the tournament and stated that it would not tolerate any form of corruption, misconduct, or foul play by any stakeholder associated with the league. The governing body also confirmed that the ongoing investigation would not impact the tournament.

SLC has implemented measures to ensure the tournament adheres to high ethical and integrity standards, maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. The Sri Lanka Cricket Anti-Corruption Unit has been collaborating with the SIU to enhance the league’s anti-corruption framework. Additionally, Integrity Mentors, an independent anti-corruption and sports integrity organisation, has been engaged to provide specialist support and education throughout the tournament, aiming for a fair, transparent, and corruption-free environment.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com