Sri Lankan bowling all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne has found himself in a serious personal controversy after a woman approached the court and claimed that the cricketer is the father of her two-month-old child. The woman has accused the cricketer of refusing to take the responsibility of the baby, which forced her to seek legal help.
The case took a step further on November 23, when the woman, after attending the court hearing, spoke to the media. She said that Karunaratne did not appear in court and had informed the officials and the judge that he was unwell. She also said that she is fully confident that Karunaratne is the biological father of the child and he should acknowledge that fact.
The woman, whose identity has been kept private for safety reasons, said she had no choice but to request a paternity test.
She stated:
“Chamika Karunaratne is this child’s father. Because he has refused to accept responsibility, I have been forced to come to court to request a paternity test. This child has to live in Sri Lanka. I know he is the father. All I want is for him to carry out his responsibilities.”
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Possible Action from Sri Lanka Cricket
No official comment has emerged from either SLC or Karunaratne over the allegations thus far. The matter, for now, is not proven, with the next steps from the court will depend on the evidence and test results.
If proven true, Karunaratne faces disciplinary action from SLC, which may include suspension among other sanctions. This is a board that has acted quite strictly whenever player conduct has come into question, and this may well prove another such case.
Karunaratne's Cricket Career
He has so far represented Sri Lanka in one Test, 26 ODIs, and 45 T20Is. He last appeared for the national team in September 2025. Before that, he was part of SLC Greens in the domestic T20 tournament.
The 29-year-old made his international debut in 2019 but had several breaks in his career. As the case develops, all eyes will be on the court's findings and the response from Sri Lanka Cricket.
