The Jaffna Kings franchise in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 has been terminated mid-season 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, Sports Commune. Despite the termination, the Jaffna Kings will continue their participation in the tournament with their current team and staff.
All franchise rights have reverted to IPG, which, along with SLC, has taken over the complete operational control of the four-time champions. This measure aims to ensure the tournament proceeds without disruption. The sixth edition of the LPL commenced on July 17 and is scheduled to conclude on August 8.
Reasons for Termination and Arrest
The termination stems from the franchise owners’ alleged failure to meet their financial obligations as per the franchise agreement. This action comes amidst 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. The ownership group is also alleged to have failed in paying player and staff salaries and mismanaging sponsor funds, which led to the cancellation of the franchise agreement.
Manjot Kalra, a co-owner of the Jaffna Kings, was detained on Friday by the Police Special Investigations Unit in Sri Lanka. He is a former teammate of Shubman Gill and was a key player in India‘s 2018 U-19 World Cup triumph. The arrest of Kalra occurred after local reports indicated a complaint was filed by Jaffna Kings players Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando, and Dunith Wellalage, which initiated the investigation. It was alleged that Kalra attempted to offer money to an LPL player. Local media reports stated that Kalra was produced before a magistrate and remanded in judicial custody until July 31. Another Indian national, Yuvraj Pushpa, was also detained in connection with the case.
Organisers’ Assurance and Team Continuity
IPG and SLC have directly assumed control of the team’s operations. IPG CEO Anil Mohan emphasised that maintaining the tournament’s integrity is the top priority for the organisers. He stated that while the decision was difficult, it was necessary to protect the integrity of the Lanka Premier League and ensure stability for players, coaches, partners, and fans.
Mohan assured that all operational matters, including player contracts, staff commitments, and team logistics, are being managed seamlessly. He reiterated that the sixth edition of the LPL would proceed as planned. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) pledged its full cooperation to the Police Special Investigation Unit (SIU) for the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports following Kalra‘s arrest. SLC affirmed its commitment to protecting the tournament’s integrity and stated that it would not tolerate any form of corruption, misconduct, or foul play.
The SLC also confirmed that its Anti-Corruption Unit has been working closely with the government’s law enforcement agency, the SIU, to strengthen the league’s anti-corruption framework. Additionally, Integrity Mentors, an independent anti-corruption and sports integrity organisation, has been engaged to provide specialist integrity support and education throughout the tournament. On the field, the Bhanuka Rajapaksa-led Jaffna Kings have had a positive start to their campaign, winning two of their first three matches.
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
