Jaffna Kings terminated from LPL 2026 mid-season after co-owner’s arrest

By Karan Malhotra — 23 July 2026 — 3 min read

The Jaffna Kings, a franchise in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026, have had their franchise rights terminated 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 ownership group, Sports Commune. Despite the termination, the team will continue its participation in the tournament under the same name, with its existing squad and coaching staff.

The termination comes midway through the LPL 2026 season, which commenced on July 17 and is scheduled to conclude on August 8. All franchise rights have reverted to IPG, which, in conjunction with SLC, has taken over complete operational control of the team. This measure aims to ensure the tournament proceeds without interruption.

Reasons for Termination and Arrest

The primary reasons cited by SLC and IPG for the termination include the ownership group’s alleged failure to meet financial obligations as stipulated in the franchise agreement. The decision was also influenced by a series of controversies surrounding Sports Commune.

One of the co-owners, Manjot Kalra, was arrested on corruption-related allegations. Kalra, a co-owner of the Jaffna Kings, was detained by the Police Special Investigations Unit on Friday. Local reports indicated that a complaint filed by Jaffna Kings players Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando, and Dunith Wellalage initiated the investigation. It was alleged that Kalra attempted to offer money to an LPL player.

Reports from local media stated that Kalra was presented before a magistrate and remanded in judicial custody until July 31. Another Indian national, Yuvraj Pushpa, was also detained by the police in connection with the case. Kalra gained prominence after scoring a century in the final of the 2018 U-19 World Cup and later became an investor in the Jaffna Kings franchise earlier this year.

Further allegations against the ownership group include failing to pay player and staff salaries and mismanaging sponsor funds. These issues ultimately led to the cancellation of the franchise agreement.

Ensuring Tournament Integrity

Following Kalra’s arrest, Sri Lanka Cricket issued a statement on Friday, pledging its full cooperation with the Police Special Investigation Unit (SIU) for the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports. SLC reiterated that the ongoing investigation would not impact the tournament’s continuation.

Anil Mohan, CEO of IPG, emphasised the organisers’ commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the tournament. He stated that while the decision to terminate the franchise rights was difficult, the priority was to protect 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.

SLC has also taken various measures to ensure the tournament adheres to the highest ethical and integrity standards. The organisation’s 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 support and education throughout the tournament, aiming for a fair, transparent, and corruption-free environment.

Despite the ownership changes, the Bhanuka Rajapaksa-led Jaffna Kings have started their campaign positively, securing victories in two of their first three matches.