Sri Lanka Cricket has launched an investigation into what it says are ”various alleged incidents” that took place during the T20 World Cup in Australia.
While no details have been given, the implication is there are other matters besides the arrest of batter Danushka Gunathilaka on rape charges.
He was arrested on Sunday and charged with four counts of sexual intercourse without consent.
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Sri Lanka Cricket has appointed a three-person panel to investigate “various alleged incidents that have come to the attention of Sri Lanka Cricket.”
“The panel in this process will call for an immediate explanation from the team manager pertaining to his conduct, with references to the occurrence of such incidents,” a statement said.
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“Upon submission of the said report by the panel, the executive committee of Sri Lanka Cricket will take stern disciplinary action against the players and/or officials if any wrongdoing or negligence is proved when carrying out official duties.”
According to leading Sri Lankan journalist Rex Clementine, “a fight involving another [tour participant] in a Brisbane casino also has been reported.”
Gunathilaka remains in custody after being denied bail. The rest of the squad returned home without the 31-year-old. Sri Lanka Cricket has suspended him “from all forms of cricket with immediate effect.”
ESPNCricinfo revealed that Gunathilaka had previously been suspended by Sri Lanka Cricket on multiple occasions for various disciplinary breaches, including a six match ban in 2018.
“An immensely gifted player, his misconducts were always swept under the carpet,” Clementine wrote in The Island newspaper.
“As a result, now a nation has been shamed.”
Sri Lanka’s tournament ended following their four wicket loss to England in Sydney on Saturday.
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