The Lanka Premier League (LPL) has terminated the franchise agreement for the Jaffna Kings, citing breaches of anti-corruption and integrity provisions in the contract with the team’s owners, the Daily Mirror reported.
Innovative Production Group (IPG), the tournament’s event rights partner, exercised its contractual right to end the agreement with Sports Commune, which had held the franchise. Sri Lanka Cricket and IPG have taken direct financial and operational control of the team to keep it running for the remainder of the tournament, according to ESPNcricinfo.
The move follows the arrest of Jaffna Kings co-owner Manjot Kalra, a former India Under-19 batter, by a special police unit investigating match-fixing, on the day the 2026 LPL began. It also came after the franchise failed to meet financial obligations — players were forced to cover sponsor logos on their jerseys with tape during a fixture against Colombo Kaps earlier in the tournament.
IPG chief executive Anil Mohan said the decision was taken to protect the integrity of the league and ensure stability for players, coaches, partners and fans. Despite the ownership change, the Jaffna Kings — one of the most successful teams in LPL history — will continue under the same name with their existing squad and coaching staff.
The termination is the latest development in a turbulent 2026 season for the franchise, and underscores the governing body’s stated determination to safeguard the competition against corruption. Investigations linked to the match-fixing allegations are continuing.