A long-running financial crime case takes a dramatic turn as the court moves to compel the return of a key suspect accused of misusing Sri Lanka Cricket funds.
Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama has issued an arrest warrant for former Sri Lanka Cricket Chief Financial Officer Piyal Nandana Dissanayake, ordering that he be produced before court over allegations of criminal misappropriation amounting to US$187,000 belonging to Sri Lanka Cricket.
The warrant was issued in connection with a case filed by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division in 2018, stemming from an investigation into alleged financial irregularities within the national cricket body. When the matter was taken up in court, it was revealed that the suspect had initially appeared regularly before court but later obtained permission to travel overseas.
Following his departure, legal representatives continued to appear on his behalf for nearly two years under Section 192 of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act No. 15 of 1979, which allows a trial to proceed in the absence of the accused under specific circumstances. During proceedings, President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa informed court that a separate complaint filed by his client against the complainant party had been fully investigated by the Criminal Investigation Department and that his client’s innocence had been established.
Counsel further argued that the suspect had not evaded court proceedings and remained abroad with prior judicial approval, urging that he be discharged from the case. However, the Chief Magistrate observed that since the matter had already been referred to the Attorney General for advice, the accused could no longer remain absent from court.
Taking into account the procedural status of the case and the need for the suspect’s presence, the court issued a warrant for his arrest and fixed the matter for recall on September 30. The ruling signals renewed momentum in the high-profile Sri Lanka Cricket corruption investigation, as authorities seek accountability in alleged financial crimes linked to sports administration.
