The multi-talented Chamika Karunaratne has been handed a one-year ban from all forms of cricket for breach of contract by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) during the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia. Karunaratne has been found guilty of all charges against him, including breaching various clauses of the player’s contract. The SLC said a three-member investigative panel conducted a disciplinary investigation into the alleged non-compliance by the nationally contracted player.
Previous reports indicated that Karunaratne had allegedly visited a casino during the World Cup. However, when he was questioned by IANS, the SLC did not reveal the exact accusations against the bowling all-rounder.
The SLC said: “Considering the seriousness of the offenses committed by Karunaratne, the investigation panel, in its report, recommended to the SLC Executive Committee a stern warning to the player to desist from further offenses and recommended a punishment that would be equivalent to Rs. There will be no impact on his cricketing career.”
Following the investigative panel’s findings and recommendations, the SLC Executive Committee imposed a one-year ban on participation in all forms of cricket, with the said ban being suspended for a period of one year. Karunaratne has also been fined $5,000.
Karunaratne has also been dropped from the ODI squad against Afghanistan in the three-match series which begins on November 25 in Kandy. Another injured batsman, Danushka Gunatilka, has been remanded in custody in a Sydney court case over an alleged allegation of sexual harassment by a woman he interacted with on a dating app. Although granted bail, Gunatilaka is barred from leaving Australia.
A breach clause in the player’s contract during the #T20World Cup in Australia, the player received a one-year ban from Sri Lanka Cricket 😮
-ICC (@ICC) November 23, 2022