In a recent development involving the Anti-Corruption Unit of the International Cricket Council, former Sri Lankan batsman Dilhara Lokuhetigge has been handed an eight-year-long ban from all forms of cricket after he was found breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code on multiple counts.
The former cricketer had been booked under corruption charges back in April 2019, after which he was provisionally suspended. The 40-year-old was also slammed by the ICC on behalf of the Emirates Cricket Board in account for violating three counts of the ECB Anti-Corruption Code for individuals participating in the UAE-based T10 League, the proceedings of which are still ongoing.
The Sri Lankan, as per what the hearings concluded, was found guilty on the following three counts by the ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal: Infringement of Articles 2.1.1, 2.1.4, and 2.4.4.
Article 2.1.1 – for being party to an agreement or effort to fix or contrive or otherwise influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or other aspect(s) of a match.
Article 2.1.1 -Article 2.1.4 – Directly or indirectly soliciting, inducing, enticing, instructing, persuading, encouraging or intentionally facilitating any Participant to breach Code Article 2.1.
Article 2.4.4 – Failing to disclose to the ACU full details of any approaches or invitations received to engage in corrupt conduct under the Code.
Commenting on the disgraced left-arm medium pacer, the ICC general manager – anti-corruption Alex Marshall told about how the player in question used to attend anti-corruption education sessions and was aware of it all. Speaking of the ban, he said “The severity of the sanction reflects the seriousness of his offences and his continued refusal to cooperate and should serve as a deterrent for anyone considering getting involved in corruption of any kind.”
Dilhara Lokuhetigge, who has featured for 11 white-ball international games for his country, has been staying in Australia and faced no sanctions from the SLC so far, since held no positions with the cricket board of Sri Lanka. He became the second individual associated with cricket to be banned in a matter of a week when former Kolkata Knight Riders coach Heath Streak was banned from cricket for breaching the ICC code of conduct.