Gunathilaka suspended for six matches on disciplinary grounds

by Champika Fernando

Sri Lanka Cricket has suspended opener Danushka Gunathilaka for six international matches on disciplinary grounds, Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed on Thursday.

He has also been imposed a 20% fine of his applicable annual contract fee for violations of Section 30 (a-ii ) and 30 (b) of the Constitution of Sri Lanka Cricket and of clauses 3.1.2, 3.1.9, 3.3.1, and 3.4 of his contract with Sri Lanka Cricket during the recently concluded India Series in Colombo.

“The suspension is effective 30th September 2017, and is issued by the Executive Committee by the powers vested in it vide Section 30 (c) of the SLC Constitution and Clause 10. 3 of the contract entered into with the said player,” SLC said in a media release.

Gunathilaka had pleaded guilty to the charges on 29th September 2017.

Gunathilaka has had a decent run with the bat averaging 42.41 in 12 ODIs this year but was not selected for the Pakistan series.

His suspension comes following an inquiry held by SLC on a complaint made by team manager Asanka Gurusinha on player’s indifferent attitude.

Gurusinha had also officially cited this in his manager’s report at the end of the India series.

“Lack of discipline is one of the key issues we have had and when the manager made an official complaint to us, we initiated an inquiry. We found that he has not been regular with his training and also has shown a very indifferent attitude towards the support staff,” an SLC top official said.

“So the management committee decided to impose a ban to send a strong message to the rest of the players.

Gunathilaka shared two double century partnerships with Niroshan Dickwella in the series against Zimbabwe.