The Colombo District Court ordered written submissions to be filed by May 13 in a case where air hostess Sewwandi Senadheera seeks a DNA test and a declaration that cricketer Chamika Karunaratne is the father of her child, after his lawyers argued that no such test can be conducted without his consent.
The Colombo District Court on March 31 ordered that written submissions be filed by May 13 regarding a petition seeking an order to direct cricketer Chamika Karunaratne to provide blood samples for a DNA test. The order was issued after considering the petition filed by air hostess Sewwandi Senadheera, who is seeking a declaration that her child was fathered by cricketer Chamika Karunaratne and that a statement be issued to that effect.
When the petition was taken up, President’s Counsel Jagath Wickramanayake, appearing for respondent Chamika Karunaratne, argued before the court that the consent of the individual is essential to obtain blood samples for a DNA test. He contended that a commission cannot be issued requiring someone to provide blood samples for a DNA test without their consent, and that the court lacks the authority to do so. He requested that the petition’s appeal for blood samples without the respondent’s consent be rejected.
However, President’s Counsel Wijayadasa Rajapaksa, appearing for the petitioner air hostess, informed the court that during a previous hearing, a junior lawyer representing the respondent had stated there was no objection to issuing a commission for such a DNA test. He also noted that in a statement given by the respondent to the Children and Women’s Bureau, he had expressed agreement to undergo a DNA test. He requested that since the respondent’s consent for the DNA test had already been expressed, the court should designate a laboratory for the test and issue appropriate orders.
In response, President’s Counsel Jagath Wickramanayake clarified that his client had never consented to any DNA test. He explained that the junior lawyer had made the earlier statement without proper understanding of the matter.
After considering the submissions, the court ordered that written submissions regarding this request be filed by May 13.
The respondents named in the petition include cricketer Chamika Karunaratne, the minor child Aryana Karunaratne allegedly fathered by him, the Registrar General, and others.
Petitioner Sewwandi Senadheera claims that her minor child Aryana Karunaratne was born on September 29, 2025, fathered by cricketer Chamika Karunaratne. She alleges that in 2023 or around that time, Chamika Karunaratne had a close relationship with her and persuaded her into a sexual relationship. After she became pregnant, she claims he attempted to avoid her and refused to accept paternity of the child.
She is seeking a court order declaring Chamika Karunaratne as the father of the child, an order directing the Registrar General to issue a birth certificate accordingly, and an order for a DNA test involving the child and Chamika Karunaratne.
