Sri Lanka suspends Kithuruwan Vithanage for one year

Sri Lanka Cricket Disciplinary Committee found the International cricketer Kithuruwan Vithanage guilty of misconduct as per the SLC constitution and ICC Code of Conduct. SLC issued an immediate suspension on the player from playing all forms of cricket for one year.

Kithuruwan Vithanage has represented Sri Lanka in 10 games in the longest format of the game. Along with 6 ODIs and in 3 T20Is. The left-handed middle order batsman had a promising debut against Bangladesh with a half-century in the first Test.

Vithanage scored 370 runs in Tests at an average of 26.42. He had last represented the Sri Lankan national team in a T20I game against Australia on 10 January 2016. He has an average of less than 15 in the limited overs format.

However, SLC did not reveal the details of the incident involving the player. According to the SLC media release “At a Disciplinary Inquiry conducted by the Disciplinary Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket on 16th June 2016 at Sri Lanka Cricket Headquarters, the Disciplinary Committee has found that the cricketer Kithuruwan Vithanage guilty of misconduct and in breach of ICC Code of Conduct clause(s) 3.1.9.10 and 3.1.9.11.”

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Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed the news via social media, “Kithuruwan Vithanage issued immediate suspension”

“The Disciplinary Committee was presented with both the written and oral evidence from witnesses to the incident in question and Vithanage was invited to present similar evidence in his defense.” the media release stated

“The Disciplinary Committee has recommended an immediate suspension after a closed hearing and in consideration of the evaluation of the evidence presented. Specifically drawing attention to the fact that the conduct of Vithanage is ‘unacceptable when considering his status as a public figure, and a role model for the youth of Sri Lanka'”

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Accordingly, the Executive Committee has confirmed the intimation and suspended the cricketer for a period of one year. The option to appeal the suspension is yet to be known.