Sri Lanka all-rounder Danushka Gunathilaka has been banned for six international matches and will miss the ODI series against South Africa.  

The 27-year-old all-rounder was found guilty by the Sri Lanka cricket board for breaching the player code of conduct.

The offence was said to be a breach of curfew during the second Test against South Africa in Colombo. Gunathilaka’s offence has coincided with a separate criminal investigation into sexual assault, which had allegedly occurred at the team hotel. The Sri Lanka police have not accused Gunathilaka, although they have arrested a suspect who has been linked to the all-rounder.

Gunathilaka was banned for three matches by SLC last October for misconduct during the home series against India and was also handed a suspended sentence of an additional three matches over a one-year period.

‘Out of the total six matches, three matches have been handed over for the latest violation of the “player code of conduct and contractual obligation” he has entered to with Sri Lanka Cricket,’ the board said in a statement.

‘Whilst another three matches are given from a suspended sentence of one year, which Gunathilaka was already serving since 18 October 2017, for breaching the “player contract”, in an earlier occasion.’

His suspension last year was for attending a match without his gear, along with his reportedly lax attitude towards training.

Gunathilaka formed an integral part of Sri Lanka’s 199-run victory over the Proteas in the second Test in Colombo, scoring 57 in the first innings and 61 in the second.

Photo: Isuru Sameera Peiris/AFP/Gallo Images