Sri Lanka Cricket Unbans Danushka Gunathilaka; Opener Permitted To Play Cricket
Danushka Gunathilaka in action [X.com]
On Tuesday, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) lifted the ban on cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka after an Independent Inquiry Committee cleared the player of all allegations.
The IIC had recommended the uplifting of the ban on Gunathilaka, who was barred from taking part in any cricketing activity, following allegations of sexual misconduct in Australia in November 2022.
The left-handed batter was acquitted of all charges levelled against him in the District Court of New South Wales last month, after being under travel restrictions in Australia for the past 11 months.
The SLC had banned Gunathilaka from participating in cricketing activities, following an Australian national accusing the player of sexual assault, which led to legal and criminal proceedings.
The player had travelled with the Sri Lankan T20I side for the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022 when the whole episode took place.
The panel chaired by retired High Court Judge, Sisira Ratnayake, and other members such as Mr. Niroshana Perera, and Mr. Asela Rekawa upon investigation urged the board to immediately lift the cricketing ban and allow the resumption of all activities including being available for national selection.
The executive committee held a meeting on October 13 and sanctioned the recommendation, while also cautioning the player about maintaining proper behaviour in public as a national representative.
The 32-year-old has played eight Tests, 47 One-Day Internationals (ODI), and 46 T20Is, amassing 2,641 runs, with two centuries and 16 fifties.
 "Vishal Mehra")
