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Last Updated : 2024-05-01 00:01:00
18 October 2023 05:53 pm - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Shehan Daniel
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced on Tuesday that a three-member independent inquiry committee, headed by a Retired High Court Judge, had unanimously recommended an "immediate lifting" of the cricket ban imposed on Gunathilaka by SLC last year following allegations of sexual assault against the cricketer.
In a statement, SLC said the committee had carefully evaluated Gunathilaka's exoneration from those sexual assault changes, and had given "due consideration to his cricketing career and its impact on the cricketing ambitions of the nation", before recommending the lifting of the ban.
It effectively means that Gunathilaka can take part in any SLC-sanctioned tournament and can be considered for national selection.
But should he have been allowed to?
Gunathilaka has had, for the lack of a better phrase, a checkered disciplinary record, with the player having committed several indiscretions in the past while representing the country.
In 2021, Gunathilaka was one of three cricketers who were found to have breached the bio-safety bubble while the national team was on tour in Durham, England, for which all three were given a one-year suspension.
They were also handed an additional one-year ban suspended for two years, in the event that they breached the player code of conduct again -- a period during which, incidentally, the events in Australia last year fall under.
Within the first three years of making his international cricket debut in 2015, Gunathilaka was also suspended for nine matches over two separate incidents.
While he did miss almost a year of cricket due to his legal issues in Australia, the expectation was that Gunathilaka would be handed a harsh punishment by SLC, given the player’s past disciplinary record and the negative impact caused on Sri Lankan cricket by his actions – even if he was found not guilty of committing a crime.
But by allowing him to resume his cricket career, are SLC creating an image that discipline does not matter? Or should he be allowed to return to play cricket without further punishment.
Trevor Perera Thursday, 19 October 2023 02:50 AM
Under no circumstances should Gunatilleke's ban be lifted. Even though he was not found guilty by the Australian courts, he has brought disgrace to the country through many lapses in the past where he was disciplined and suspended from the game. The game and country is much larger than this man. There are many other cricketers who can replace him in the national side. Moreover, he was not an outstanding player by any means. SLC has no backbone. What a disgrace.
Adrian Cramer Thursday, 19 October 2023 12:01 PM
Absolute DISGRACE.
Woman's mind is poor thinking Sunday, 22 October 2023 07:21 AM
SLC has backbone which is why they rejected the idiot view for making an innocent man suffer. The lying woman entrapped him, and deceived him. The woman judge saw through wicked woman's wiles. All those who want to make Danushka suffer, would probably side with Israel to make Palestinians suffer since 1947 too.
Faithful cricket fan Thursday, 19 October 2023 08:09 AM
Slc board members themselves are mega corrupt they should be dissolved and legal action should be taken against them and all should be behind bars in the first place and this corrupt government cannot do this because rogoues can not punish fellow rouges full stop. Daniska Gunatilleka should not be let go scot free without punishment As he has violated the players code of conduct
Trehan Munasinghe Thursday, 19 October 2023 10:08 AM
Sri Lanka Cricket is known for giving prominence and positions to indisciplined people, when the top is corrupt and lacks any ethics and discipline can you expect the players to have any. Take a look at the Sri Lankan Cricket team, are they playing cricket? Or mostly on other various things,... obviously they have their personal life, which is nobody's business, however when they are representing Sri Lanka or on national duty then the country comes 1st. If SLC is going to set a precendent that indiscipline is acceptable then cricket is already doomed in this country. 1st you need to chase away those at the top, if we want to save this game we all love.
A Silly Mid On Friday, 20 October 2023 04:43 AM
Danushka Goonatillake is a serial offender. It should be noted that he was suspended for leaving the hotel without permission. Whether he went out and raped a woman or went to a Buddhist Temple and meditated is irrelevant. His suspension should not have been lifted just because he was acquitted by Australian Courts or SL Cricket Team is doing badly specially in batting. His suspension should remain for the period he had been suspended. Performance of SL cricket Team has deteriorated because of wrong actions by SLC such as increasing First Division Teams to 26, not having strict fitness program and not taking serious action against offenders of discipline.
Tissa Fernando Friday, 20 October 2023 08:55 AM
Not before he returned to Sri Lanka after getting acquitted in Australia. SLC lifted the ban at the right time. You cannot punish a person for a cpurt case no longer valid. He should be given a second chance. The sportsmen go out with women all the time. It is nothing new. If you want to have mem who do not do this then you probably should forget about having a team at all. But disciplinary rules whole on tour should be strictly enforced.. whatever he does after tour time is nothing to be concerned unless a law in the host country is broken and caught.
A Disciplinarian Friday, 20 October 2023 10:52 AM
Danushka was not suspended by SLC for being charged for allegedly raping a woman. His offense was leaving the hotel without permission when he should be with his teammates. Whether he was acquitted or not is relevant to lifting the suspension. It must be noted this is the 3rd time he has violated disciplinary rules. SLC's policy of not fully enforcing disciplinary rules has led to frequent violations of discipline by cricketers.
Sri Lanka is losing because people like you are so called cricket fans Sunday, 22 October 2023 07:23 AM
The spirit of the game is not with you. Sri Lanka is losing because too many big mouth idiots want too many old players in the team. People nearly 35 years old are wanted even. Get the young experienced and still performing people and capable people like Danushka into the team.
Navi Friday, 20 October 2023 10:35 PM
Give him one final opportunity to resurrect his life. Thats not asking much. Bind him with some rules and regulations. Either he makes or break. SLC to keep a sharp eye on him.
Gandara Pala Saturday, 21 October 2023 02:53 AM
Recover all these money from this man! Put him in jail as soon as possible before joining politics with Myna!
dotv Saturday, 21 October 2023 03:29 AM
Dhanushka suffered a long year of remorse and mental trauma being caught up in an accusation of sexual abuse judged by many a media man , taken before the courts and not found guilty. ..Disciplinary action by the SLC board should consider that aspect of that long year of waiting .as part of the punishment for his breaking the rules expected of a player on tour ...Should we not give him a chance for .his talents can outweigh his fault .Talent is most needed at this time it seems .Many a team player in the international field have been not always perfect models of virtue outside the field but super talented when playing the game ..these are adults Pros at their job are they not ?
Amarapala Denagama Saturday, 21 October 2023 09:13 AM
No he should join the Myna group to contest and become the sports minister of Siri Langa. Then Langawai Siri Langawai!
Abhaya Premawardena Sunday, 29 October 2023 05:27 PM
people who claim that some one should be punished when a court find them innocent should get their heads examined. some call him a serial offender. like a serial killer ? Sri Lankans are some outdated prudish character to that that is embarrassing
Considerate Friday, 03 November 2023 08:23 AM
Yes. Please let Danuska Gunathilaka go Scot-free. Win or loose, played or not played, Tinder dating risks in host countries should also be considered an essential sporting investment during official tours. That is the only way to attract and sustain talent like Danushka.
Marapona Angohamy Tuesday, 07 November 2023 12:16 PM
Now he has chance to become the next sports minister or the chairman of the Crac Board. He has well declined career and well experience of everything!
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