Following the news that their injured batter Danushka Gunathilaka has been arrested for an alleged sexual assault case, Sri Lanka's cricket board will set up a three-member panel to investigate the matter, they announced on Tuesday, November 8. The news comes after a local court in Sydney denied the accused Gunathilaka bail and the SLC suspended him from all forms of the game with immediate effect.
The panel will include retired High Court judge Justice Sisira Ratnayake, attorney Niroshana Perera and attorney Asela Rekawa. They will investigate other alleged incidents involving the reigning Asia Cup winners during their stay in Australia, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) stated.
"Upon submission of the said report by the panel, the Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket will take stern disciplinary action against the players and or officials if proven guilty of any wrongdoing or negligence when carrying out official duties," SLC said.
The panel will seek an immediate explanation from the team manager about Gunathilaka's conduct and other incidents. There are also reports of 'fighting involving another player in a Brisbane casino'.
The 31-year-old left-hander was arrested on Sunday ahead of the team's departure from Australia. The Sri Lankan team, which failed to qualify for the semi-finals after finishing fourth in Group 1, eventually left Australia without Gunathilaka on Saturday.
Gunathilaka was out for a duck in his solitary appearance against Namibia in their Super 12 qualification match.
