Jaffna Kings terminated from LPL 2026 mid-season a...

By Priya Nair — 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 was made due to 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, coaching staff, and support personnel.

The termination means all franchise rights have reverted to IPG. IPG, in collaboration with SLC, has taken over full operational control of the team to ensure the tournament proceeds without interruption. The Jaffna Kings, who are four-time champions, have made a positive start to their campaign, winning two of their first three matches under the leadership of Bhanuka Rajapaksa.

Ownership Group Under Scrutiny

The termination of the franchise agreement comes amidst several controversies surrounding the ownership group, Sports Commune. One of the co-owners, Manjot Kalra, has been arrested in connection with corruption-related allegations. Another owner, Mayank Goel, is reportedly unreachable.

Allegations against the ownership group include a failure to meet financial obligations as outlined in the franchise agreement. There are also claims that player and staff salaries were not paid and sponsor funds were mismanaged. These issues led to the cancellation of the franchise agreement.

Lanka Premier League (LPL) franchise Jaffna Kings team co-owner Manjot Kalra (L) is taken to court after being arrested by the Sri Lanka Sports Investigation Unit for alleged match-fixing in Colombo.(AFP) Credit: livemint.com

Manjot Kalra, a co-owner of the Jaffna Kings, was detained by the Police Special Investigations Unit in Sri Lanka. This arrest is linked to alleged match-fixing in the LPL. Local reports indicated that a complaint was filed by Jaffna Kings players Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando, and Dunith Wellalage, which initiated the investigation. It was alleged that Kalra attempted to offer money to an LPL player. Another Indian national, Yuvraj Pushpa, was also detained by the Police in connection with this case.

Following Kalra’s arrest, Sri Lanka Cricket issued a statement pledging its full cooperation with the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports. SLC reiterated its commitment to protecting the integrity of the tournament and stated that the ongoing investigation would not impact the competition. SLC also affirmed its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and unethical practices, highlighting its collaboration with the SIU and the engagement of Integrity Mentors, an independent anti-corruption and sports integrity organisation, to provide specialist support and education throughout the tournament.

Ensuring Tournament Stability

Anil Mohan, CEO of IPG, emphasised that maintaining the integrity of the tournament is the organisers’ primary concern. He stated that while the decision to terminate the franchise rights was difficult, it was necessary to protect the 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 smoothly. The tournament is expected to continue as planned, with organisers committed to delivering a successful event. The Lanka Premier League 2026 began on July 17 and is scheduled to conclude on August 8.

Manjot Kalra gained prominence for scoring a century in the final of the 2018 U-19 World Cup. He later transitioned into sports entrepreneurship, becoming an investor in the Jaffna Kings franchise earlier this year.