Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has lifted the ban imposed on Danushka Gunathilaka, who was acquitted following a legal battle in Australia over sexual abuse allegations.
The decision was taken by the SLC’s executive committee at its 13 October meeting, based on a recommendation made by an inquiry committee after “careful evaluation of Gunathilaka’s acquittal and with due consideration to his cricketing career and its impact on the cricketing ambitions of the nations”.
However, sports minister Roshan Ranasinghe said SLC had lifted the ban without following the due procedure.
The minister spoke to the media with regard to the matter.
Inquiry committee recommended to ‘fully lift’ ban
The inquiry committee had been tasked with investigating the impact of the criminal allegations against Gunathilaka in Australia.
It was headed by retired High Court judge Sisira Ratnayake and consisted of attorneys Niroshana Perera and Asela Ranawaka.
The ban was put in place in November 2022 after the 32-year-old was arrested in Australia after being accused by a Sydney woman of sexually assaulting her during the T20 World Cup.
The SLC suspended him from all cricket activities upon learning of his arrest and charges related to alleged sexual assault in Sydney.
This suspension was pending the outcome of legal proceedings and was imposed considering the impact of his actions on the reputation of cricket and the country.
“Mr. Gunathilaka, who was under travel restriction in Australia for the past 11 months, faced a full trial in the District Court of New South Wales, Australia, where he was acquitted of the single charge levelled against him. Other charges under which he was initially arrested were dropped by the prosecution prior to trial,” said the SLC in a statement.
As such, the SLC executive committee had ratified the unanimous recommendation made by the inquiry committee to ‘fully lift’ the ban on Gunathilaka with immediate effect and to allow him to resume regular cricket activities and return to national duty.
In addition, Gunathilaka has been cautioned to “always uphold his status as a representative of the nation in all his future actions,” the SLC said further.
Members of the national team have welcomed the lifting of his ban.
In the meantime, there are differing opinions in social media posts about the cricketer’s future.
SLC president Shammi Silva has told BBC Sinhala Service that with courts finding him not guilty, Gunathilaka had the opportunity to return to cricket.
While welcoming the cricketer’s court acquittal, sports minister Ranasinghe said the matter would be decided in consultation with several parties.
Pointing to his previous disciplinary breaches while on tour in England, Ranasinghe said his future chances along with conditions will be discussed with the National Sports Council before considering a lifting of the ban on him.
