Match fixing case against Patel concludes in absentia, judgement on March 10
The Matale High Court has completed the trial against match-fixing accused Akash Patel, also known as Yogi Patel, the Manager of Kandy Samp Army, in absentia. The judgment is expected to be delivered on March 10. High Court Judge Ravindra Premaratne also directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to conduct a thorough investigation into how the accused left the country despite being under a court-imposed travel ban.
Patel was charged with match-fixing after Sri Lanka’s chief cricket selector, Upul Tharanga, revealed that the Indian national had approached him to fix matches during the 2024 Legends League tournament, played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Following a thorough investigation and witness testimonies, the trial proceeded in the absence of Patel, who is believed to have fled to the USA. Judge Premaratne rejected an appeal from defense attorney Mahesh Kalugampitiya to postpone the hearing due to Patel’s absence and decided to proceed with the case.
When the trial was taken up, Patel’s guarantors, represented by attorney Ranjith Peellage, informed the court that the defendant had contacted them after leaving the country. Attorney Kalugampitiya argued that Patel had fled due to life threats and requested additional time to prepare for the hearing.
However, Senior State Counsel Udara Karunathilake, representing the Attorney General’s Department, countered that the defendant could have reported any threats to law enforcement but had failed to do so. He objected to the defense’s request, stating that it was a deliberate attempt to delay proceedings.
Karunathilake further revealed that when Patel last reported to the police on December 29, 2024, to sign the bond as per court orders, he had made no mention of life threats. Inspector Randila Sanjeewa of the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), which handles investigations under the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports Act, confirmed that Patel had fled the country without informing authorities.
Key witnesses, including cricketer Upul Tharanga, Sri Lanka Cricket Investigation Officer Thejaka Wanigasekara, and Shyam Impett, later testified in court. This followed a statement from Andrew Ephgrave, the interim General Manager of the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit. SSC Karunathilake also presented CCTV footage and printed documents as evidence.
Patel, a U.S. citizen, was initially produced in court on March 13, 2024, after charges were filed against him. The trial was scheduled to conclude by January 31, 2025. However, during the last hearing, Patel was absent, and investigations revealed that he had likely fled the country by sea. In response, Judge Premaratne directed the CID to initiate an Interpol warrant for Patel’s arrest.
Patel had been released on bail in May 2024 under strict conditions, including two sureties of Rs. 500,000 each and a cash bail of Rs. 500,000. He was also barred from leaving the country until the trial concluded.
Sri Lanka became the first South Asian country to criminalize match-fixing with the introduction of the Prevention of Sports-Related Corruption Act in 2019. Under this law, offenders face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to USD 555,000.