Sri Lanka Cricket suspended their top-order batter Danushka Gunathilaka on Monday from all forms of international cricket after the 31-year-old was found to be arrested and charged with rape allegations in Sydney the day before.
On November 6, the New South Wales Police took the player into their custody from the Sri Lankan team hotel in Sydney’s central business district. One day after the side played their final game of the T20 World Cup, the rest of the team flew back home, but Gunathilaka stayed put in Australia.
With criticism from all corners over the player’s accused sexual misconduct against a woman, SLC was forced to issue a statement and take their action in the matter. In that, the board suspended the player from all forms of cricket with immediate effect and said they will duly support any investigation that the case undergoes.
“Furthermore, Sri Lanka Cricket will take the necessary steps to promptly carry out an inquiry into the alleged offense, and, upon conclusion of the aforementioned court case in Australia, steps will be taken to penalize the said player if found guilty,”
the SLC said.
“Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to emphasize that it adopts a zero tolerance policy for any such conduct by a player and will provide all the required support to the Australian law enforcement authorities to carry out an impartial inquiry into the incident.”
On Monday morning, Gunathilaka had been denied bail in the case by a Sydney court, thereby confining him to Australia till the matter is closed. ESPNcricinfo reported magistrate Robert Williams noted that the player had no “criminal history” but refused to adhere to his bail request.
Gunathilaka’s lawyer stated that the decision was “disappointing” and confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that they will take the appeal to the country’s Supreme Court. Even if bail is provided, as stated above, Gunathilaka will have to stay in Australia till the matter is closed.
While suspending him with immediate effect, SLC president Shammi Silva said they support Gunathilaka and trust their player in the matter. Gunathilaka’s lawyer confirmed that the board is paying for all his legal charges.
