A new national cricket selection committee that’s acceptable to the national selection committee should be appointed, National Sports Council Chairman Arjuna Ranatunga said.
“We can’t understand several decisions that were taken, so as the first step a new cricket selection committee should be appointed,” he added.
Speaking to reporters yesterday (08), Arjuna Ranatunga charged that the discipline of the cricketers cannot be fixed if the cricket administration has no discipline.
“There are instances of some players having visited casinos during their stay in Australia. Do you give permission for such acts? Some cricketers are engaged in endorsement activities and are opening up stores or putting their properties up for sale,” Ranatunga said.
The former World Cup-winning captain of Sri Lanka further said it is essential to find out the root cause of the mistake.
“This is not only the mistake of the cricketers, the administration must also take the blame for this,” he revealed.
Stating that the selection committee must take responsibility to take their best players for the tournament, Ranatunga said Gunathilaka was an injured player and questioned if a fitness test was conducted prior to his participation in the tournament
He also stated that Gunathilaka has had some previous allegations, however, his suspensions have been reduced by the cricket administration on multiple occasions.
“This alone could make the cricketer think he is free of any wrongdoing that he engages in,” he pointed out.
Commenting on the ongoing court proceedings against Danushka Gunathilaka in Australia, Arjuna Ranatunga said, they do not endorse wrongdoing, but as he is a Sri Lankan, discussions were held on how the cricket administration can assist him and bring him back to Sri Lanka.
On Sunday (06), Sri Lanka cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka was arrested and charged with 4 counts of sexual assault in Sydney, Australia.
The following day (07), Sydney Magistrate Robert Williams denied Gunathilaka bail and adjourned the case to January 12, a period of nine-and-a-half weeks.
Thereafter, the Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) also announced that it had suspended Danushka Gunathilaka from all forms of cricket with immediate effect.
( curtesy News wire)