Cricket Australia (CA) has imposed a 20-year ban on former Sri Lankan cricket player Dulip Samaraweera for allegedly acting inappropriately with a female player.
Following allegations regarding Dulip’s behavior while working for Cricket Victoria, the CA integrity section opened an investigation.
He was banned after the investigation found that he had behaved in a “coercive and controlling manner” with the player for a considerable amount of time.
Samaraweera will not be eligible to hold any positions in CA or state cricket as a result of his violation of the CA’s Code of Conduct.
Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins called the former player’s actions “utterly reprehensible and a betrayal of everything we stand for.”
CEO of Cricket Victoria Nick Cummins released a statement denouncing
Dulip’s actions.
“We strongly support the decision taken by the Code of Conduct Commission today, banning Dulip Samaraweera for 20 years,” Cummins stated. “It is our view that the conduct was utterly reprehensible and a betrayal of everything we stand for at Cricket Victoria.”
“In this instance, the victim has shown amazing bravery and strength of character by speaking up. We will keep providing her with the assistance she needs to succeed both on and off the field.”
“From an organizational standpoint, everyone’s safety and well-being at Cricket Victoria are of utmost importance. We will always encourage our culture of speaking up and will not put up with any behavior that jeopardizes that position or our people,” he continued.
Dulip Samaraweera had a lengthy coaching career after representing Sri Lanka in seven Tests and five ODIs between 1993 and 1995. He formerly served as Victoria’s women’s team’s assistant coach and the WBBL’s Melbourne Stars’ assistant coach.
He was named Victoria’s women’s senior coach earlier this year, however he left the position after two weeks due to a staffing request being turned down.
