• Gunathilaka was approved by Sports Minister, to be sent to Australia to represent SL  
• We cannot escape from our responsibility. We should appear for him  
• If proven guilty he is liable to settle all expenses incurred by SLC
• Danushka has only allegations against him  

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama   

Controversial Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka is still only a suspect in the incident, and if he is proven guilty, Sri Lanka will enforce all its laws against him, Sports and Youth Affairs Ministry Secretary Dr. Amal Harsha de Silva said.  Addressing the media yesterday, he said Danushka Gunathilaka was a cricketer who was approved by the Sports Minister and sent to Australia to represent the country. 

“We cannot escape from our responsibility. We should appear for him, if he has come up with a problem. If he had committed this fault with his will and knowledge, he has to pay all expenses for legal assistance he was offered. We have no authority to help him out with his personal issues, spending public money,” he said.   

“Danushka has only allegations against him, therefore he is still representing the country. During a discussion, Justice Minister Ali Sabry also said that he is only a suspect, not a culprit. But if he had done anything wrong, he should bear the full responsibility for it,” Silva said.   

“If he is proven guilty, he should settle all expenses incurred by the Sri Lanka Cricket (CLC) Board. “Discipline is a must when it comes to sports, and we will do our best to maintain our image,” Silva stressed.