Former Sri Lankan cricketer Dulip Samaraweera has been handed a 20-year ban from holding any position within Australian cricket, following allegations of inappropriate behavior towards a female player which was described as “utterly reprehensible”.
The decision by Cricket Australia's Conduct Commission comes after a swift investigation into the misconduct, which was deemed a serious breach of the organization’s code of conduct.
Samaraweera, 52, briefly served as the head coach of Victoria’s state women’s team before the accusations came to light. Nick Cummins, Chief of Cricket Victoria, praised the bravery of the player who reported the incident. “It’s important to recognize the courage it takes for individuals, particularly women, to come forward in such situations, given the power imbalances and potential backlash they may face,” Cummins remarked.
Cummins further expressed strong support for the 20-year ban imposed by Cricket Australia’s Code of Conduct Commission, emphasizing that Samaraweera’s actions were completely “unacceptable” and violated the fundamental values of the organization.
Cummins reiterated that Cricket Victoria stands by the victim, offering continued support to ensure her well-being both on and off the field. He stressed that the safety and welfare of everyone involved in the sport are of utmost importance, and any form of misconduct will not be tolerated. Cricket Australia also released a statement reaffirming its commitment to maintaining a safe environment for all players and staff, vowing to prioritize the welfare of those affected by mistreatment.
This incident follows another incident involving a Sri Lankan cricket in Australia who was accused of rape. Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka was arrested by Australian police on four counts of sexual assault following Sri Lanka’s final match at the T20 World Cup. Three of the four charges against Gunathilaka were eventually dropped, before a judge-only trial in September 2023 found him not guilty.
