The Court of Appeal has intervened to prevent the arrest of Upul Tharanga, the Chairman of Sri Lanka’s Cricket Selection Committee, at the airport upon his return to the island. This decision follows a writ petition filed by Tharanga’s legal team, challenging the validity of an arrest warrant issued by the Matale High Court on October 8. The original warrant was issued due to Tharanga’s failure to appear in court in connection with an ongoing legal case.
Tharanga’s lawyers argued that he was out of the country, participating in a cricket tournament in the United States, at the time of the court summons. They contended that the issuance of the arrest warrant was inappropriate and sought to overturn it through the Court of Appeal.
The restraining order temporarily blocks any attempt to arrest Tharanga at the airport upon his arrival in Sri Lanka. It will remain in effect while the Court of Appeal reviews the legal grounds of the Matale High Court’s initial decision. This legal development offers Tharanga a reprieve from immediate detention, allowing him to address the issue through legal channels without facing arrest upon his return.
The circumstances surrounding the case for which Tharanga was required to appear in court have not been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether they relate to his role in cricket or personal matters. The next steps in the legal process will likely determine whether the warrant is quashed or upheld and whether any further legal action will be taken against the former cricketer.
