Dambulla Thunders terminated from LPL after owner's arrest over corruption charges

The Lanka Premier League (LPL), on Wednesday (May 22), announced the termination of Dambulla Thunders from the league, effective immediately.

The LPL has taken a big step after Dambulla Thunders' owner Tamim Rahman was arrested by the officials in Sri Lanka over his alleged involvement in match-fixing and betting. As per media reports, he was arrested under the 2019 Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports Act, which relates to corruption in sports.

He was arrested by the immigration officials at the airport in Colombo prior to boarding the flight. Rahman, who is a British citizen of Bangladeshi origin, is the CEO of the Imperial Sports Group which bought the Dambulla-based franchise in April this year.

"The Lanka Premier League (LPL) announces the termination of the Dambulla Thunders franchise, effective immediately. This decision follows recent developments concerning the franchise’s ownership and the legal issues faced by Tamim Rahman, Founder of Imperial Sports Group," Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a statement.

While the specifics of the charges against Mr. Rahman remain unclear, the integrity and smooth functioning of the Lanka Premier League are of utmost importance. This termination aims to uphold the values and reputation of the LPL, ensuring that all participants adhere to the highest standards of conduct and sportsmanship," it added.

The Lanka Premier League (LPL) announces the termination of the Dambulla Thunders franchise, effective immediately. This decision follows recent developments concerning the franchise’s ownership and the legal issues faced by Tamim Rahman, Founder of Imperial Sports Group.…

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) May 22, 2024

LPL to go ahead as scheduled even after Dambulla Thunders' termination:

The termination of Dambulla Thunders won't affect the scheduling of the fifth edition of the LPL. Galle Marvels and Dambulla Thunders are the two new teams that were added by the LPL ahead of the forthcoming season. An LPL official has said that the organizers will ensure that Dambulla Thunders participate in the tournament even if they fail to find new owners.

"The LPL will go ahead as scheduled, we will run the side if we can't find an owner in time for the LPL. In the past, we managed two sides and we are ready to take a financial hit," an LPL official told Cricbuzz.

The Dambulla-based outfit has signed up players such as Mustafizur Rahman, Dilshan Madushanka, Nuwan Thushara, Akila Dananjaya, Danushka Gunathilaka, Nuwan Pradeep, Ibrahim Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Karim Janat and Iftikhar Ahmed for the forthcoming LPL edition. 

A total of five teams will be participating in LPL 2024, scheduled to be played from July 1 to 21. Apart from Dambulla and Galle, B-Love Kandy, Colombo Strikers, and Jaffna Kings will also participate in the tournament.