Sri Lanka Cricket Suspends Rape-Accused Danushka Gunathilaka From All Forms Of Cricket

• Image Credit: Google

• Nov 7, 2022 | Dhupali Das

Gunathilaka was arrested and charged by police on Sunday, only hours after the national team lost to...

Digital Desk: Sri Lanka Cricket said on Monday that the country's cricket board's Executive Committee decided to suspend national player Danushka Gunathilaka from all forms of cricket with immediate effect and would not consider him for any selections after learning that the star batsman was arrested and charged with sexual assault in Australia.

"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," stated the cricket board in an official media release.

"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," it added.

Gunathilaka appeared in a Sydney court in handcuffs via video link on Monday to request bail after being charged with four counts of sexual assault. Gunathilaka, who spoke only to confirm his identity, was shown on a screen in Downing Centre Local Court. He appeared calm as he sat in a grey T-shirt at a Sydney detention centre. Ananda Amaranath, the batsman's lawyer, declared he will ask for bail for the 31-year-old. 

Magistrate Robert Williams briefly adjourned the case before hearing the bail application.

The prosecution stated that it would seek to prevent the publication of certain elements that could identify the alleged victim.

Gunathilaka was arrested and charged by police on Sunday, only hours after the national team lost to England in the Twenty20 World Cup.