Dulip Samaraweera, a former Sri Lankan cricketer who played seven Test matches between 1993 and 1995, has become embroiled in a series of serious allegations that have tarnished his post-playing career as a coach. Samaraweera, who was once a respected figure in cricket, is now facing a 10-year ban imposed by Cricket Australia for breaching the sport’s code of conduct. This follows an earlier 20-year suspension after he was found guilty of inappropriate behavior towards a female player while coaching in Australia.
Cricket Australia has imposed a new ban on former Sri Lankan Test player Dulip Samaraweera following allegations of inappropriate behavior towards a second player while he was working as a coach. Samaraweera, who was already suspended for 20 years from any involvement in Australian cricket after being found guilty of inappropriate conduct with a female player, is now facing further accusations of misconduct.
The latest allegations stem from his time as a private coach while employed by Cricket Victoria. Samaraweera has denied the claims but opted not to participate in the investigation. As a result, he has been handed a 10-year ban for violating the sport’s code of conduct. This suspension will run concurrently with his original 20-year ban, meaning he will not be eligible for any coaching roles in Australia or with any state or territory body until 2044, when he will be 72 years old.
As of now, neither of the complainants has pursued criminal charges. Samaraweera, who represented Sri Lanka in seven Test matches between 1993 and 1995, had been with Cricket Victoria’s women’s program for almost 16 years. He also served as a long-term assistant coach for the Melbourne Stars in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) before resigning in May.
Cricket Victoria’s CEO, Nick Cummins, condemned Samaraweera’s actions, calling his conduct “utterly reprehensible” and “a betrayal of everything we stand for.” He expressed support for the victim, praising her for her courage in speaking up. He emphasized that Cricket Victoria prioritizes the safety and well-being of all individuals involved in the organization and would not tolerate any behavior that undermines its culture of speaking out.
Samaraweera’s coaching career, which had included a stint as interim head coach of Victoria’s team, was cut short when he resigned due to a conflict of interest. His brother, Thilan, was not allowed to be hired to the coaching staff under Cricket Victoria’s policy. His behavior serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and maintaining professional conduct within sports organizations.
Family reaction
The reactions of Dulip Samaraweera’s family to the serious allegations against him have not been widely publicized. However, given the nature of the accusations and the fact that Samaraweera’s career has been severely impacted by them, it is likely that the family has faced significant pressure. In situations like these, families often experience a mix of emotions, including shock, disbelief, and support for the accused, depending on their personal views and the dynamics within the family.
Samaraweera’s brother, Thilan, was mentioned in relation to his resignation from Cricket Victoria. Samaraweera had been slated to take on a full-time coaching role, but Cricket Victoria’s conflict of interest policy prevented him from hiring his brother as part of the coaching staff, which ultimately led to his resignation. This policy likely created tension, but it also indicates that Thilan was involved in some way with his brother’s professional life.
As for the broader family’s reaction to the allegations of inappropriate behavior, it is difficult to ascertain without direct statements. Families of individuals accused of such misconduct may sometimes distance themselves from the controversy, while others may choose to publicly support the accused, either out of loyalty or disbelief in the claims. Regardless, the allegations have undoubtedly put a strain on the family dynamic, especially given the widespread media coverage and the long-lasting repercussions Samaraweera now faces.
Ultimately, while there has been no public comment from Samaraweera’s family regarding the specifics of the allegations, it’s clear that the situation has deeply affected both Samaraweera and those closest to him. The family’s perspective would likely be influenced by their own personal beliefs, their relationship with Samaraweera, and their understanding of the severity of the allegations.