Danushka Gunathilaka suspended for six international matches

The Sri Lankan Cricket Board was seen in a bad light after Sri Lankan police questioned Danushka Gunathilaka of the national cricket team. A Norwegian woman was allegedly raped in a hotel room while Danushka was present as per AFP reports. 

And now the Sri Lankan Cricket Board have now announced that Danushka had been hit with a six-match ban in international matches across all three formats of the game. The offence was a serious breach of curfew which took place during the second Test against South Africa in Colombo. In addition to the ban, the SLC also said that, "Gunathilaka will also not be paid any match fees for the Test, along with any bonus and or other payments in connection thereto."

However, only the first three matches of the six-match suspension are for Gunathilaka's current breach of the code of conduct. The rest of the three matches are from the one-year suspended sentence of a three-match ban that was in force from October 2017. The SL opener had initially been suspended for six matches last year. But that was later changed to three matches while also being charged 20% of his annual contract.

Danushka has been booked on a "misconduct" charge after a close associate of his was arrested for sexual assault in the team hotel in Colombo during the second Test against South Africa. Gunathilaka was also interrogated by Sri Lankan police on Tuesday about the incident at the weekend when his friend Selliah, was accused of raping one of two Norwegian women in their room, an officer told AFP.

27-year old Danushka's conduct has repeatedly been an issue while on tour with the Sri Lankan national team. His discipline issues on and off the field are sure to play in the mind of the selectors. His suspension last year was when he turned up to a match without proper gear, and also for his laidback attitude in training sessions.