Karunaratne apologises after arrest for drink driving

Tuesday, 2 April 2019 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lankan cricketer Dimuth Karunaratne (C) arrives at the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Colombo on 1 April – Karunaratne has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol after an accident in the capital, police said on 31 March – Ishara S. Kodikara / AFP

REUTERS: Sri Lanka’s test captain Dimuth Karunaratne has apologised for his actions in a drink-driving accident that injured one person in Colombo and led to the cricketer’s arrest on Sunday.

The injured driver was later discharged and Karunaratne was released on bail, with Sri Lanka Cricket stating they would conduct their own inquiry into the incident.

“I firstly need to apologise to the owner of the other vehicle who had a few very minor injuries and was absolutely decent in his manner to very amicably sort out the matter directly with me,” Karunaratne said in a statement on Monday.

“I... would like to inform all of you that he has been discharged from hospital where he was under precautionary observation and is now resting at home.

“This morning I produced myself in court and did follow the due legal process of Sri Lanka and did abide by all formalities therein required. I shall continue to assist/follow with whatever legal obligations are necessary from my end.

“I’m very much aware that perhaps my actions were utterly unbecoming of a Sri Lankan national cricketer and I do apologise to all of you for this incident.” Karunaratne was Sri Lanka’s captain when they became the first Asian team to win a test series in South Africa last month.