The Vagaries Of SLC And Danushka’s Misdemeanours - EDITORIAL

We, Lankans, it is often claimed, have very short memories. Just over a year-and-a-half ago almost every Lankan took to the streets and created conditions which forced the then Prime Minister and President to resign.  
A few days ago, the self-same ex-premier claimed he felt confident he, his party, his siblings and progeny would emerge victorious at the hustings. This is despite being accused of bankrupting the country and being found guilty of the offence by the courts of law in this country!

Perhaps, he had in mind the case of national cricketer, Danushka Gunathilaka whose cricketing fortunes continued to be resurrected when Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) most recently lifted the ban which barred him from all cricketing activities, subsequent to him being discharged of the charges of sexual assault while on tour of Australia at the T20 World Cup in November 2022.

Gunathilaka, while showing glimpses of brilliance during his short and controversial career, has not lived up to his potential. His test cricket average is a mere 18.7, in the eight matches he played. His average in the 47 One Day Internationals stands at 35.6, while in the 46 T20s he played, his has averaged a measly 16.5 runs. 

The only consistent has been the bans, suspensions and other misdemeanours he has accumulated during his short career. Our sister publication the ‘Daily FT’ compiled a list of some of his major disciplinary shortcomings:  

OCTOBER 2017 - Suspended for six ODIs and also omitted from Sri Lanka ODI squad for Pakistan in the UAE for missing training sessions, turning up for a match without cricket gear, and showing indifferent attitude during training. Fined 20 percent of his annual contract. The suspension however was reduced to three matches by SLC.  

JANUARY 2018 - Officially reprimanded by ICC for breaching Level 1 of ICC Code of Conduct when he gave a send-off to Bangladesh batsman Tamim Iqbal when he was dismissed during the final of the ODI Tri-Nationals series.

JULY 2018 - Suspended from international cricket by SLC and fined the entire match fee for breaching the Player Code of Conduct during the Test series against South Africa. Broke team curfew to be with friends who were accused of raping a Norwegian woman in a hotel in Colombo. Gunathilaka was cleared by Police from allegations of rape and sexual assault.

MARCH 2021 - Officially reprimanded by ICC for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct by using offensive, indecent and inappropriate language towards West Indies batsman Nicholas Pooran when he was dismissed during the third ODI between Sri Lanka and
West Indies.

APRIL 2021 - Censured by SLC for indecent behaviour with reports claiming that he had a brawl with a few others during an event at a hotel in Matara. The three-member inquiry panel found his conduct “unprofessional and lacking integrity.” It directed him to attend mandatory counseling sessions for a year, instead of handing a ban from cricket.    

JUNE 2021 - Suspended from international cricket for one year by SLC along with Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella for breaching the bio-secure bubble during Sri Lanka’s tour of England. SLC however lifted the ban in January 2022.

NOVEMBER 2022 - Arrested by Sydney Police and charged with four counts of sexually assaulting a 29 year-old woman. 

NOVEMBER 2022 - Sri Lanka Cricket suspends Danushka Gunathilaka from all cricketing activities, upon learning of his arrest and charges related to alleged sexual assault in Australia.

OCTOBER 2023 - SLC recommends lifting the ban imposed on Gunathilaka.

For one reason or the other, Gunathilaka despite his low batting average, disciplinary breaches and bad behaviour, seems to have the blessings of the SLC hierarchy. SLC’s last suspension of Gunathilaka in 2022, was pending the outcome of legal proceedings and was imposed considering the impact of his actions on the reputation of cricket and the country.

By not imposing any sort of disciplinary action on Gunathilaka, is SLC telling upcoming cricketers that Gunathilaka’s behaviour on and off the
field acceptable? 
Or is it, that if a cricketer belongs to a particular cricket club, his acts of commission and omission are more easily forgiven?
Is this the example SLC would want younger cricketers to follow?