The six-member committee appointed to conduct a thorough investigation over allegations levelled at players during the T20 World Cup in Australia has handed over its report to Minister of Sports Roshan Ranasinghe today (10).
The Ministry of Sports decided to conduct a thorough investigation over allegations levelled at players during the national cricket team’s tour of Australia.
Accordingly, a six-member committee was appointed on the 2nd of December to probe the incidents reported against national cricketers during the tour of Australia where the team competed in the ICC T20 World Cup tournament.
The committee headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Kusala Sarojini Weerawardena was appointed by the Minister of Sports under provisions of Article 39(3) of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973.
Former Ministerial Secretary Kingsley Fernando, retired DIG Sudath Nagahamulla, retired Rear Admiral Ananda Peiris, former cricketer Nalin de Alwis and Attorney-at-Law Shalani Roshana Fernando are the remaining members of the committee.
The national cricket team toured Australia between the 16 of October and the 13th of November where they competed in the T20 World Cup.
They qualified for the Super 12 stage by winning two games in the opening round but failed to impress against stronger oppositions.
The tour will however be remembered for all the wrong reasons with opening batter Danushka Gunathilaka being arrested by Australian Police on sexual assault charges.
Gunathilaka played only one game and despite his injury which ruled him out of the entire tournament, the management decided to retain him in Australia.
Although he did not take any further part in the tournament, he was seen with players on tour.
During the latter part of the tournament, an Australian woman levelled sexual assault allegations against Danushka Gunathilaka and he was arrested hours before the national team was scheduled to leave for Sri Lanka.
Gunathilaka was subsequently remanded and now released on bail. He is expected to contest his charges in a Sydney court in January.
Additionally several other incidents have emerged and Sri Lanka Cricket announced that it is investigating the incidents including misuse of funds, social media influence and religious beliefs.
