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After being acquitted of sexual assault charges related to the act known as 'stealthing' in Australia, Sri Lanka batter Danushka Gunathilaka will now see the ban imposed on him by the Independent Inquiry Committee appointed by Sri Lanka Cricket, lifted.
"Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wishes to announce that the Independent Inquiry Committee appointed by SLC, which was tasked with investigating into the impact of the criminal allegations against Mr. Danishka Gunathilaka in Australia, has recommended a full lifting of the ban imposed on him in November 2022 following Mr. Gunathilaka's acquittal from all charges filed in the District Court of New South Wales and his return to Sri Lanka on 3rd October 2023," said the official statement.
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The SLC Executive Committee suspended Gunathilaka after he was arrested and charged with alleged sexual assault in Australia in November 2022 for an offence during the T20 World Cup 2022. Despite being granted bail, he was not allowed to leave Australia till he was acquitted by Judge Sarah Huggett delivered the verdict at Sydney's Downing Centre District Court.
Judge Huggett's ruling of the case reads, "The evidence establishes that there was no opportunity for the accused to remove the condom during intercourse because that intercourse was continuous." This observation was the main platform for Gunathilaka's acquittal.
"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.
After careful evaluation of Mr. Gunathilaka's exoneration and with due consideration to his cricketing career and its impact on the cricketing ambitions of the nation, the Inquiry Panel, headed by Retired High Court Judge, Sisira Ratnayake, Mr. Niroshana Perera, Attorney at Law and Mr. Asela Rekawa Attorney at Law, unanimously recommended an immediate lifting of his cricketing ban, allowing him to resume regular cricket activities and return to national duty," read the full statement.
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