A one year suspended suspension was imposed on Sri Lanka cricketer Kithuruwan Vithanage after he was found guilty of breaching code of conduct during Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka last month SLC sources said yesterday.
The suspended suspension means Vithanage will be able to continue playing competitive cricket. The young batsman faced a disciplinary inquiry over leaving the team hotel overnight during the first Test against Pakistan at Galle last August, Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed.
However, Ceylon Today reliably learns that at the time of the disciplinary breach concerning Vithanage, a senior teammate of the player concerned had allegedly spotted an SLC (Sri Lanka Cricket) Association Secretary in Vithanage’s room.
It had also come to light that the female secretary, appointed by Sports Minister, Mahindananda Aluthgamage a few years back, had been found walking into the Lankan middle-order batsman’s hotel room during one of the nights.
According to an email from team manager Michael de Zoysa, Vithanage had left the hotel at about 7p.m. after the third day’s play, and had not returned until 6:30 a.m. the following morning. Captain Angelo Mathews and coach Marvan Atapattu had viewed the incident as a serious enough disciplinary breach that they had requested Vithanage be removed from the squad for the second Test, particularly because Vithanage was likely to bat on the following day.
However, Vithanage was allowed to stay with the side at the behest of chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya.
No solid curfews or bedtimes were in place for players during the Test, but leaving the team hotel without informing the manager, particularly until late into the night, is a clear breach of disciplinary protocol.
Vithanage is also believed to have left the team hotel without permission on previous tours, with Jayasuriya having spoken to him sternly about the issue.
De Zoysa cites two incidents: one in Bangladesh earlier in the year, and another on a tour to the UK. De Zoysa’s email also highlights concerns over fixing when players leave the hotel unannounced, and suggests the matter be referred to anti-corruption authorities if the disciplinary inquiry sees the need to do so.
According to the email, Vithanage had apologized for leaving the team hotel and said he had done so to attend a bana and pirith ceremony [Buddhist religious ceremony] at a temple.
He was not picked in the squad for the ODIs against Pakistan.
Vithanage has represented his country in a combined total of 13 international matches: 6 One Day Internationals, 6 Tests and 1 Twenty20 International.
The southpaw made his international debut back in March 2013, against Bangladesh. While he hasn’t made a mark yet in the international arena, with 3000+ runs in First-class cricket and the imminent retirements of senior players, the 23-year-old could be in for an extended run in the national team.
