Rape-charged Sri Lankan cricketer suspended by Sri Lanka Cricket Board
On Monday, Sri Lanka Cricket announced that the country’s cricket board’s executive committee had decided to immediately suspend national player, Danushka Gunathilaka from all forms of the game and stop considering him for any selections after learning that the star batter had been detained and accused of sexual assault in Australia.
As stated in an official media release by the cricket board, “Sri Lanka Cricket will further take the necessary steps to promptly carry out an inquiry into the alleged offence, and, upon completion of the aforementioned court case in Australia, steps will be taken to penalise the said player if found guilty.”
The statement said, “Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to highlight that it adopts a “zero tolerance” policy for any such action by a player and will provide all necessary help to the Australian law enforcement authorities to undertake an unbiased inquiry into the matter.”
In handcuffs and via video link, Gunathilaka had appeared in court in Sydney on Monday to request bail after being accused of four charges of sexual assault. In Downing Center Local Court, Gunathilaka was visible on a screen and merely spoke to confirm his identity. He was sitting in a Sydney prison facility wearing a grey T-shirt and seemed composed. Ananda Amaranath, the batter’s attorney, declared he will ask for bail for the 31-year-old.
Rape-charged Sri Lankan cricketer suspended by Sri Lanka Cricket Board
The case was briefly postponed by Magistrate Robert Williams before the bail request was discussed.
The prosecution declared that it will work to have certain details that could be used to identify the accused victim published withheld.
On Sunday, after the national team’s Twenty20 World Cup loss to England, police detained and charged Gunathilaka.
