Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced that all forms of cricket will be suspended for the remainder of Danushka Gunathilaka’s 18-month ban. This includes international, bilateral, and Twenty20 fixtures. Gunathilaka was initially banned for a year by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching its code of conduct, which included threatening and abusing a teammate. Gunathilaka was originally scheduled to return to action in October, but this has now been postponed until further notice. This news is a massive blow to the Sri Lankan side, who are currently top of their World Cup Qualifier group.
Danushka Gunathilaka was denied bail and suspended by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) from all forms of cricket after being arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage.
Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) suspended Danushka Gunathilaka from all forms of cricket on Saturday after he was arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage. Gunathilaka, the vice-captain of the Sri Lanka team, was released on bail following his arrest and was ordered to appear at a police station on January 26. A magistrate initially denied the 27-year-old bail after being detained late last night.
Gunathilaka is accused of assaulting two men while they were watching a T20 match between Sri Lanka and South Africa in Colombo. “Given the seriousness of the allegations, we have decided to suspend Mr Danushka Gunathilaka with immediate effect,” SLC Chairman Aravinda de Silva said in a statement. “We are seeking advice from our lawyers on the next steps.” This marks the latest controversy to hit Sri Lanka Cricket in recent months.
In November, wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal was charged with five offenses – including cheating and conduct unbecoming an international player – after he was alleged to have sandpaper thrown at him during a training session in London. Chandimal had his contract with Sri Lanka Cricket terminated shortly after his arrest and has since retired from international cricket.
Gunathilaka is accused of assaulting a bar employee, breaking a glass door, and damaging property at a hotel in Kandy.
Danushka Gunathilaka, the Sri Lanka cricketer accused of assaulting a bar employee and breaking a glass door at a hotel in Kandy, has been denied bail by the Colombo High Court. This comes after Gunathilaka was suspended from all forms of cricket by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) pending an investigation into the alleged incident.
The 24-year-old is also accused of damaging property at the hotel. In court today, Gunathilaka’s lawyer submitted that his client had no criminal record and was only involved in an argument with the bar employee. However, Judge Niroshana Ranatunga disagreed and said there was enough evidence to suggest that Gunathilaka had committed an offense. The court granted bail to another man who was also arrested alongside Gunathilaka in connection with the same incident.
SLC said in a statement that the 29-year-old
SLC said in a statement that the 29-year-old Danushka Gunathilaka was denied bail and suspended by SLC from ‘all forms of cricket’ after he was charged with assault and criminal damage. He will appear in court on Friday.
Gunathilaka is accused of assaulting a man outside a bar after an argument last week. He has been named in the Sri Lanka Premier League (SLC) ‘s suspension list, meaning he cannot play for any team in the tournament. The Sri Lankan captain, Dinesh Chandimal, has also been suspended for one match due to his involvement in the altercation.
The incident is a worrying time for Sri Lanka, currently competing in the Twenty20 World Cup. The Cricket West Indies Board (CWI) has already warned Chandimal that if he is involved in any further altercations during the tournament, he could face suspension or expulsion from the competition.