COLOMBO – A Sri Lankan cricketer has been suspended after a Norwegian woman accused his friend of raping her in his presence in a hotel room.
Danushka Gunathilaka, 27, and his friend, whose name is not mentioned, took two Norwegian women to the hotel where Gunathilaka was staying in Colombo in the early hours of Sunday.
Later one, one of the women accused the Danushka’s friend, a Sri Lankan origin British national, of raping her.
Police arrested the 26-year-old accused and an investigation is underway.
Police said there was no allegation against Gunathilaka; the cricketer is the best-performing batsman in an ongoing tour by South Africa.
The batsman scored 57 and 61 runs in the second and final Test, with Sri Lanka on track for a series whitewash after trouncing the visitors in Galle last week.
South Africa was 5/139 chasing an impossible-looking 490 target at the close of play Sunday.
However, Sri Lanka Cricket board on Sunday night suspended him on a “misconduct” charge, although he is allowed to play in the match that is currently taking place.
“The cricket board will also withhold Gunathilaka´s fee for the ongoing Test match until the outcome of the inquiry,” said board officials.
