Danushka Gunathilaka will now be banned for three games instead of six

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

In an executive meeting in Colombo on Monday, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) decided to reduce opener Danushka Gunathilaka’s six-game ban to three.

Gunathilaka’s ban was revised following an appeal by the 26-year-old himself and Sinhalese Sports Club.

The remaining three games will be part of a suspended sentence that will last one year.

“The Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket yesterday (16) decided to revise the suspension imposed on Dhanushka Gunathilaka upon consideration of the appeal made on behalf of Gunathilaka by the Sinhalese Sports Club,” a statement released by SLC said.

“Accordingly, Gunathilaka will now serve a suspension of 3 International matches (instead of 6) and be fined 20% of his Annual Contract fee, whilst he will serve the balance 3 International matches as a sentence suspended for one (1) year, whereby he shall be suspended for three matches in the event of any further breach during the said period of 1 year.”

Gunathilaka, who was also fined 20 per cent of his annual contract fee, was allegedly banned for six white-ball matches for missing a training session, turning up to a match without his kit and having a disappointing attitude towards training.

All these issues occurred during Sri Lanka’s home series against India and it is understood that it led to Gunathilaka being dropped for the ongoing series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.