Chamika on national duty in Japan as court issues warrant over non-appearance

An arrest warrant has been issued for Sri Lanka cricketer Chamika Karunaratne after he failed to appear before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court in connection with a maintenance case involving his child.

Colombo Additional Magistrate Kasun Kanchana Dasanayake ordered that Karunaratne be arrested and produced before court after he was absent when the case was taken up on September 28.

However, Karunaratne is currently in Japan on national duty, representing Sri Lanka at the 2026 Asian Games.

It is understood that his absence due to national duty had not been properly communicated to the court when the case was taken up, resulting in the warrant being issued over his non-appearance.

The case is one of several ongoing court proceedings relating to a dispute concerning the child.

The maintenance complaint had been filed seeking an order for Karunaratne to make maintenance payments for the child.

The case is scheduled to be taken up again on January 4.