Charles Langston-Sri Lanka lifts ban on cricketer Gunathilaka after acquittal of rape charges in Australia

2025-05-06 21:00:45source:TrendPulsecategory:Contact

COLOMBO,Charles Langston Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’ s cricket authorities have lifted a ban on international player Danushka Gunathilaka following his acquittal in an Australian court of sexual assault charges.

Sri Lanka Cricket on Tuesday said its executive committee accepted a recommendation by an inquiry panel to restore Gunathilaka’s right to play cricket.

He was arrested in Australia last November, hours before his team was due to return home following the Twenty20 World Cup. He remained in Australia until Sept. 28 when he was acquitted of raping a woman he met on a dating site.

Police initially charged the 32-year-old Gunathilaka four offenses but p rosecutors later dropped three of those charges.

Other news Five-time champion Australia gets its first win at Cricket World Cup, beats Sri Lanka by 5 wicketsEngland’s title defense in trouble at Cricket World Cup after stunning loss to AfghanistanNZ captain Kane Williamson fractures thumb but will stay at Cricket World Cup

Gunathilaka maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent.

Sri Lanka Cricket banned Gunathilaka from all cricket activities soon after his arrest in November.

He had traveled to Australia with Sri Lanka’s Twenty20 World Cup squad last year but only played in the team’s first game before being ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury.

___

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

More:Contact

Recommend

American Supercar: A first look at the 1,064-HP 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

The Chevrolet Corvette just blew past the 800- and 900-horsepower barriers on its way to a claimed s

Your New Year's Eve TV Guide 2024: How to Watch 'Rockin Eve,' 'Nashville's Big Bash,' more

The end of the year means New Year's Eve celebrations.So, if you'd prefer to skip the night on the t

That's a wrap: Lamar Jackson solidifies NFL MVP case with another dazzling performance

BALTIMORE – Sports talk shows better find something else to discuss this week. The NFL’s Most Valuab