Sports Min. apologizes to Australia over Danushka Gunathilaka’s ’irresponsible act’ despite ongoing case

9 November 2022 03:30 pm - 57 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe today tendered an apology to the Australian government, its people, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the 'concerned party' in Australia over the 'irresponsible individual act' of Sri Lankan Cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka.

"As the Minister in charge of the subject of sports, I wish to tender my apology," Ranasinghe said.

"I'm deeply concerned and would take the responsibility on behalf of my country and it's people to take necessary and remedial action accordingly," Ranasinghe added.

The Sports Minister's apology comes at a time when the case is still ongoing and in it's early stages and as Dansuhka has maintained his innocence on all charges of sexual assault. (JH)

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Comments - 57

Winning matters Wednesday, 09 November 2022 04:00 PM

What is wrong with the Minister? It's irresponsible of the Minister to start indicating his opinions about case, and so faulting our cricketer. Why does the minister think the white woman is not deceiving? Why is government then funding for defense if Minister already agreeing on guilt. Seems the Minister has a losing mentality, and is a disgrace to our country.

German Wednesday, 09 November 2022 05:22 PM

Why do you call her a white woman? Sri Lankan racist mentality?

Spartacus Wednesday, 09 November 2022 07:37 PM

Idiot. It is not protocol for a National Cricketer aka Joshua of a country to be up to hanky panky while on an Official Representation. It is like Ranil going for a meeting with IMF in Bangkok and seen walking around (not even inside a club) Nana Plaza. This is why Sinhalese are ignorant fools to understand such tacit respects of behaviour.

Rashantha de Alwis - Seneviratne Wednesday, 09 November 2022 09:09 PM

We have not heard DG's statement. I like to hear it. Innocent until proven otherwise should be the case. The report i read regarding the woman's story raises many ??? However Rape is a serious offence and due legal process is being followed.

Winning matters Thursday, 10 November 2022 06:57 PM

I saw the disgusting way the Australian Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil (on video) spoke about our people who would want a better life in Australia when she was last here. She said they'll lose everything, like even their boat. I have only seeing the complete video of our Sports Minister. I would not have faulted our Sports Minister had I seen how well he balances the two opposing sides involved. There is definitely a method to his action, which I am awed to now know about. Our people are better and smarter.

Hadam Wednesday, 09 November 2022 04:06 PM

He is not found guilty unless proven otherwise. So hold your aplology.

Ash Wednesday, 09 November 2022 05:28 PM

Irresponsible behavior was not dating or sleeping with a woman, irresponsible behavior was, doing that on a trip representing the country at highest international level...

Spartacus Wednesday, 09 November 2022 07:41 PM

Ministers apology is right and dutiful, even though I have no respect for them. We should stop Tom

Raj Wednesday, 09 November 2022 04:08 PM

This idiot has given the verdict in Srilankan style. President should sack him for being stupid!

Sri Wednesday, 09 November 2022 04:15 PM

Why all these idiots jump into Hasty conclusion on this matter? Who know who is telling the truth? Who know who is right and who is wrong ? There are many questions around this case...He might be conned to take his money ? Don't be Judgmental on this case? It could go either way?

Curious Wednesday, 09 November 2022 04:15 PM

Not at this stage. But the Cricket Board should resign accepting responsibility for selecting a player whose past off filed conduct has been questionable. The people who are said to be learnt should be true to their conscience.

Lokka Wednesday, 09 November 2022 04:41 PM

Bad decision minister. You are not fit to hold a responsible post.

Jeewaka Palankada Wednesday, 09 November 2022 04:55 PM

These ministers have no ethical education! Selected from the payments by ponnaya!! Sorry for this man and the country NOT for the cricketer!!

Mohan Wednesday, 09 November 2022 05:07 PM

Even if he is found guilty, why would you need to apologize for somebody else's mistake?

Terrence K Wednesday, 09 November 2022 05:32 PM

Mr Minister I think you should have held your horses of apology since he is only a suspect until proven guilty. When you do this it tantamount that he is already proven guilty. When our Sri Lankan open their mouths they should be careful in not conveying the wrong signals as all this is transmitted to the respective officials of those countries.

Aquarius Wednesday, 09 November 2022 05:32 PM

We are a nation where criminals are clean and free, and the victim is always responsible for these criminal acts. If DG claims he is not guilty on all charges, he forgets he has an interesting past to claim to be innocent. Interesting some are trying to defend a serial rapist.

ANNECUNT Wednesday, 09 November 2022 05:43 PM

The former sports minister MR NAMAL RAJAPAKSA must also apolagise to australian governmant. I am not a fan of cricket anymore this man ruined the gentlemans game. SLC MUST CLOSE DOWN

Seniveratine Wednesday, 09 November 2022 05:43 PM

This Minister is an idiot. The case is ongoing so this statement by him is very prejudicial against the Sri Lankan. Drag this Minister from his limousine and kick him.

johan Wednesday, 09 November 2022 05:57 PM

our 3rd grade ministers..

Peacemaker Wednesday, 09 November 2022 06:01 PM

If your wife or daughter got raped, would you issue an apology like this? Stop paying his legal fees, if he ever comes to SL, put him in jail for life

EMILYJOACK Wednesday, 09 November 2022 06:33 PM

There are thousands of sri-lankans working and living in australia. How can we live and works and face australian citizens on a daily basis.,and we send money to SRI-LANKA Priminister also must apologise

Seqi Wednesday, 09 November 2022 06:36 PM

The minister is a truely mistaken idiot.... let Danushka speak for himself to his defence lawyer and in turn be represented in a court of law. Australia is not Sri Lanka. Little nuances and local gossip can muddy the already cloudy waters.

ANNECUNT Wednesday, 09 November 2022 06:39 PM

This man even ejectected semen to this womans mouth, can you belive this. this is inhuman Sri-lankan ladies has this ever happened to you, that is why our priminister must apologise

Winning matters Friday, 11 November 2022 02:02 AM

You make add to the unfounded accusations. Where is there any article about what you suggest? It is more likely Australian woman desperate to get Danushka would suck on his. Danushka saw her low class, didn't want to associate with her any more, and she got infuriated at the rejection, and made up the allegations. Who finds it usual that woman spurned then alleges sexual touching happens? Why you support the Australian yaksani, and the larger den of yakku who are against our man?

A Wednesday, 09 November 2022 06:46 PM

Stupid Minister, does he understand what he has done when on going case is conducted

UMAS Wednesday, 09 November 2022 06:55 PM

Thank you mr ranasinghe you have done the correct thing we sri-lankans in australia salute you. AWAITING REACTION FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Thimothy Wednesday, 09 November 2022 06:56 PM

Appologize.. for what... This is a planned trap.. Scam by the Australian Women. Ask a proper investigation done by the Australian police. Demand for it

saman Wednesday, 09 November 2022 07:11 PM

Hello sports minister, if the government spend money to cure balcony Rabukwella's leg who fell from the balcony trying to cross to another room to sleep with a women, then why cant the government spend money for the legal case of naughty Danushka.

Tony Wednesday, 09 November 2022 07:55 PM

Who is accused of raping the Ausi women ? The minister or the cricketer. If you minister, commited the crime you admit it, accept it, face the consequences and if may, apologise. Who are you to to put the cart before the horse ? A donkey shouldn't do a dog's job. He is not guilty as yet.

Buddhist Wednesday, 09 November 2022 07:57 PM

Law fees of this accused player should not be paid by the Cricket board as he did not represent SL to have sex.

sugath Wednesday, 09 November 2022 10:19 PM

Probably the minister knows the real details of the incident and wants to make the apology in advance.

Cherath Wednesday, 09 November 2022 11:05 PM

No one, not even Australia is going to be impressed with his apology. In fact it sounds more like crawling for future favourable considerations on matters far distant from cricket. Why you hold on to the dignity of yourself and the country until true facts surface. This apology insinuates guilt before proven.

joshua Wednesday, 09 November 2022 11:15 PM

You Ministers have to 1st apologies to the sri lankans for the political crimes in SL.

Gabriella Thursday, 10 November 2022 01:23 AM

This minister is an idiot. Typical Sri Lankan politician; doesn’t have a clue about due process.

L Jaya Thursday, 10 November 2022 01:35 AM

Is he an idiot? Appears have no capacity to be a minister. What is wrong in Sri Lanka. All ministerial post are ceremonial. People and employees worship due power.

Nihal S Thursday, 10 November 2022 02:04 AM

The case has not started yet, the cricketer has pledged not guilty. So why do you apologize, what for? Instead fix your cricket board, mismanagement is the reason for all these.

Punchi Thursday, 10 November 2022 02:25 AM

Any financial crumbs from a really mighty 200 year old modern Christian Australia is more important than the guilt or innocence of a scion of our 2600 year Buddhist foremost bankrupt beggar civilisation

dot Thursday, 10 November 2022 03:19 AM

..why send lawyers to defend the cricketer if the Minister thinks he is guilty ..where is the logic of this ? Fools walk in they say where Angels fear to tread .said the ancients .

Andrew Silva Thursday, 10 November 2022 05:00 AM

So this half witted minister has found Dhanushka guilty before the court verdict. Topical Sri Lankan politico.

lion Thursday, 10 November 2022 05:34 AM

Your apology has no value for a country where law applies for every one equally. So keep your uneducated garb shut and see how the law operates for this crime which is considered as very grave in Australia.

Bryan Ekenaike Thursday, 10 November 2022 06:27 AM

Has anyone in government ever apologised to the people of Sri Lanka for the 'theft' of their lives and future?? So whats this apology about?? Face saving?? Lets face it. The world is laughing at us!! and the buggers at the top are making it worse.

Mahila Thursday, 10 November 2022 07:10 AM

Always "Foot in the Mouth"!!?? To accomplish what purpose!!??

NAK Thursday, 10 November 2022 07:16 AM

The minister seems to shoot from the hip. He has no right to jump the gun and convict the player before a proper court convicts him.

Bernard Jayatilake Thursday, 10 November 2022 07:55 AM

Not only the Sports Minister but the whole government including the incumbent President should apologize to the 22 million of this country for creating an elite class n the name of cricket and diverting and plundeing our foreign exchange for foreign tour in the midst of acute crises in country, for a long time and achieving nothing but tarnishing the country's image by engaging the players in sex and womanizing in foreign countries in the cover of tours and failing to take action.

Australia Thursday, 10 November 2022 08:33 AM

Apologise for what he is not a criminal get your story right minister this woman is after victims compensation $100,000

Winning matters Friday, 11 November 2022 02:04 AM

Australian Yaksanis probably want a lot lot more than $100,000. Maybe she will come all dressed in white to her court appearance, but our people in Australia will find out her background. Then her deceit will be more obvious!

Be Fair Thursday, 10 November 2022 09:16 AM

I wish the statement indicated/stated "regret over the unfortunate incidient that is now in courts. We hope it will be resolved and the matter to be closed sooner" and afterwards to make an apolgoy if needed. Perhaps jumped the gun a little early. But on the otherside at least an attempt

Deepani Lok Thursday, 10 November 2022 09:25 AM

Thank you for minister. Due the history of what has happened to overseas cricket teams, ASIC monitor the safety of any international player. That is be responsible for his or helf life in an event( eg what happened to Sri Lankan team in Pakistan several years ago). Therefore they monitor these people. Any team member violating the team rules and walking about without permission from Team manager is exposed to this threat. Now not only they are facing risk of exposure of Sri Lankan team , SL name and threat to Sri Lankans living in Australia as Australians are angry about what happened in their back yard.

Samson de Silva Thursday, 10 November 2022 09:44 AM

What an idiot? Why should the Minister apologize? There is so much controversy about this alleged "sexual assault." Don't be surprised to see an outcome that would shock everyone and Danushka returns to SL as a hero. Have the garlands ready!

jayapala Muhandiram Thursday, 10 November 2022 12:30 PM

Another Joker came out from the pack!! Shame SL!!!

citizen Thursday, 10 November 2022 12:59 PM

booruwek

Ranjan Thursday, 10 November 2022 02:45 PM

Minister please appologice Danushka also and see that he be given English classes. It must have been a technical english misunderstanding and see he understand not to misunderstand the next time.

“ The Lansi Burgher Gent “ Thursday, 10 November 2022 04:17 PM

@Spartacus; Well said. Well said, indeed.

Jeewaka Atapattu Thursday, 10 November 2022 04:45 PM

No other country politicians involve with such incidents - This is the only country in the world such politicians interfere of all!! People can see the level of education of these ministers - Where is Hora NaRa? No more boasting from the body!! Crickter follows you NaRa - All know of the airline case!!

ANNECUNT Thursday, 10 November 2022 08:02 PM

THE MINISTER IS A GENTLEMAN sri-lankans are proud of you

EMILYJOACK Thursday, 10 November 2022 08:17 PM

NULIKE MR NAMAL RAJAPAKSA THIS MINISTER IS A GENTLEMAN AND THAT IS WHY HE APOLIGISED

Samantha Hetti Saturday, 12 November 2022 12:08 AM

Complete fake compassion on shown by Roshan Ranasinghe, when he pivoted to talking about winning the case, his falseness of his apology is obvious. MPs are well known for all acting, like Mahnida last nationally televised address as PM.

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Sports Min. apologizes to Australia over Danushka Gunathilaka’s ’irresponsible act’ despite ongoing case

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