Independent Tribunal clears Aviskha Gunawardene

An Independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal has unanimously cleared former Sri Lanka player Avishka Gunawardene of two charges against him under the Emirates Cricket Board’s Anti-Corruption Code, allowing him to resume participation in cricket with immediate effect.

The Tribunal, which also considered charges against Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Zoysa for four counts under the same Code, has upheld one charge (2.4.6) against Zoysa while dismissing the other three charges.

The detailed decision will be announced to the parties in due course and remains subject to appeal. The ICC (acting on behalf of the ECB) will consider the written reasoned decision in full before making any further comment.

Gunawardene was charged with:

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 2.4.5 – Failing to disclose to the ACU (without unnecessary delay) full details of any incident, fact, or matter that comes to the attention of a Participant that may evidence Corrupt Conduct under the Anti-Corruption Code by another Participant.

Media release from Gunawardene’s lawyers

Gunawardene’s legal team led by Manoj Rupasinghe of Lloyds PR Solicitors – London issued the following release on his behalf:

“On Sunday 9 May 2021, an independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal unanimously cleared former Sri Lanka player and coach Avishka Gunawardene of two charges against him under the Emirates Cricket Board’s Anti-Corruption Code, allowing him to resume participation in cricket with immediate effect. Mr. Gunawardene had been suspended from participating in cricket since 9 May 2019, whilst the investigation and tribunal proceeded.

“Although the decision of the tribunal has been announced, its full written reasons are not expected for some weeks. Mr. Gunawardene will make no further comment until those written reasons are handed down.

“Mr. Gunawardene was represented before the Independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal by barrister Mr. Milliken-Smith QC of 2 Bedford Row Chambers, London, and his legal team was led by Mr. Manoj Rupasinghe of Lloyds PR Solicitors – London.”

Zoysa was charged with:

Article 2.1.1 – Being party to an agreement to influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or other aspect(s) of a match.

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.

Article 2.4.6 – Failing or refusing, without compelling justification to cooperate with any investigation carried out by the ACU in relation to possible Corrupt Conduct under the Code.

Zoysa was last month banned for six years in a different case under the ICC Anti-Corruption code.