SLC suspend Danushka Gunathilaka after arrest over Sexual Assault Charges

The left-handed batter was arrested on Sunday

SYDNEY: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has suspended Danushka Gunathilaka after the batter was arrested and charged with four counts of sexual intercourse without consent here on Sunday. 

Gunathilaka, who was with the Sri Lankan team for T20 World Cup 2022, was accused of sexual assault with a 29-years-old local girl. 

After an alleged incident on November 2, Gunathilaka was detained early on Sunday. He was refused bail on Monday followed by SLC declaring him 'suspended' from all forms of the game. 

"Sri Lanka Cricket will take the necessary steps to promptly carry out an inquiry into the alleged offense, and, upon conclusion of the aforementioned court case in Australia, steps will be taken to penalize the said player if found guilty," SLC released a statement of the matter. 

"Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to emphasize that it adopts a 'zero tolerance' policy for any such conduct by a player and will provide all the required support to the Australian law enforcement authorities to carry out an impartial inquiry into the incident," it added.

According to the New South Wales Police, Gunathilaka met the woman through an online dating service and had been in contact with her for a few days.

Just hours after his team's loss to England in the last group 1 match, he was taken into custody at the Sri Lanka team hotel. The 31-year-old was already injured and unable to play.