Scandal hits Sri Lanka Under-19 cricket team as 2 players arrested for filming teammates in bathroom

Sports Tak

UPDATED: Apr 30, 2026 11:31 PM IST

Sports Tak•

UPDATED: Apr 30, 2026 11:31 PM IST

Scandal hits Sri Lanka Under-19 cricket team as 2 players arrested for filming teammates in bathroom. (Getty)

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Two Sri Lanka's U-19 cricketer have been arrested over alleged bathroom filming incident

Allegedly those two cricketers were filming fellow players in the hotel's bathroom

Two Sri Lanka Under-19 men's cricketers were recently arrested in Narahenpita, Colombo, following allegations that they filmed fellow players at their team hotel's bathroom. The arrests occurred earlier this week after women staying at the establishment reported being surreptitiously recorded on mobile phones while in their bathrooms. Both players have since been released after posting a personal bail of LKR 500,000 (approximately $1,564).

Bathroom Filming Case: 2 SL U-19 players arrested, probe on

The Narahenpita police are currently leading an investigation into the incident, with a specific focus on determining whether any of the illicitly recorded footage was uploaded or shared online. Following an initial hearing at the Aluthkade Magistrate's Court, the legal proceedings have been adjourned, and the two young cricketers are scheduled to return to court on May 25.

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As of now, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has not made any official statement regarding internal disciplinary actions or suspensions for the players involved. The governing body’s silence comes during a period of significant administrative upheaval, as the past 48 hours have seen the removal of previous office bearers and the sudden appointment of a new Transformation Committee to oversee the sport’s management.

SLC hits rock bottom

The scandal involving the Under-19 cricketers has erupted during one of the most turbulent periods in the history of Sri Lankan cricket. Just days prior to the arrests, the sport's administration was thrown into disarray as President Shammi Silva and the entire executive committee resigned under intense government pressure. In their wake, a "Transformation Committee" has been established to steer the ship, led by former MP Eran Wickramaratne and featuring iconic figures such as Kumar Sangakkara and Roshan Mahanama.

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This incident creates a significant hurdle for the new committee, whose primary mission is to restore the integrity and global reputation of the national game. With the senior men’s team reeling from poor World Cup performances and the board already besieged by allegations of high-level corruption, this breach of conduct at the youth level adds a deeply troubling layer to an already tarnished image.

While Sri Lanka Cricket has yet to announce formal disciplinary measures, likely deferring to the ongoing legal process, the situation remains critical. As police investigators work to determine if any illicit footage was distributed online, the case has sparked a national conversation regarding the supervision of young athletes and the urgent need for a more robust culture of accountability and player management within the system.